Politics

Home Secretary Priti Patel accused of dodging scrutiny in coronavirus emergency


Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of dodging scrutiny after the top Tory vanished from the public eye despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Patel has slashed back public appearances since she was hit by multiple bullying claims – which she denies – in February and March.

She faced allegations from within three departments and Home Office permanent secretary Philip Rutnam quit, vowing to bring an employment tribunal.

The Home Secretary has not fronted a press conference during the coronavirus pandemic, despite claims police enforcing lockdown have gone too far.

And last night it emerged the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee has written to her six times in three months trying to arrange a Q&A.

Boris Johnson flanked by Home Secretary Priti Patel on March 4

After not replying to several of the committee’s letters, and allegedly offering “private” briefings, Ms Patel responded on Tuesday promising to appear before the committee “towards the end of the month”.

She added she was “disappointed at the increasingly adversarial tone of our exchanges”.

But committee chief Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP, said: “Delaying until the end of the month would clearly be inappropriate given the urgency of the public information and answers that are needed.

“That is why we need to hold it at the earliest opportunity, and it is why we have been asking you to come to give evidence for very many weeks in continued correspondence.”

She added: “This is a time of national emergency where public information, reassurance, leadership, transparency and scrutiny are in the national interest.

Yvette Cooper said: “Delaying until the end of the month would clearly be inappropriate”

“At a time like this, we therefore expect to see the Home Secretary and senior officials demonstrate public leadership and transparency and to be ready to answer public questions without delay.”

Ms Patel faces questions over how police have enforced lockdown rules that prevent people leaving home without a good reason.

Her department also faces questions over claims that Passport Office staff have been told to return to work despite the coronavirus lockdown.

A leaked transcript of a Zoom meeting involving Passport Office (HMPO) managers, reported by the BBC on Thursday, suggests that up to 2,000 members of staff could return to work on routine passport applications.

The new passport is a deep blue colour
Her department also faces questions over claims that Passport Office staff have been told to return to work

PCS union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It is absolutely scandalous that HMPO are suggesting our members can go back into work during a pandemic to process routine passports.

“The cavalier approach to our members’ health and safety is shameful and ultimately puts them in greater danger of contracting Covid-19.

“We have already had members die as a result of contracting corona and pressured civil service managers in other departments to shut offices so staff can work from home.”

Meanwhile, Downing Street has also remained tight-lipped about the progress or outcome of a report into Ms Patel’s behaviour by the ministerial ethics watchdog.

The Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Office last month to “establish the facts” around claims against Ms Patel – yet also said he was “sticking by” her.

A Home Office spokesperson told The Guardian: “The home secretary has accepted the invitation to appear in front of the home affairs select committee before the end of April.

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Coronavirus outbreak

“As expected, she is currently leading the Home Office response during this national crisis, working tirelessly to keep the British public safe.”

The Culture Secretary insisted Home Secretary Priti Patel is still working after she was accused of avoiding scrutiny.


Oliver Dowden told Sky News: “I really can assure you the Home Secretary is across all of this and is engaged on an hour-by-hour and day-by-day basis. I see this every day myself.

“She’s 100% engaged.

“She’s in the Home Office pretty much every day, as far as I know, that’s where I’ve seen her every day.

“I really don’t think there’s an issue with respect to the Home Secretary.”





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