Johnson Orders Inquiry Into Facts of U.K. Home Office Row

(Bloomberg) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered an inquiry after a row involving one of his most powerful allies prompted a top official to quit the government.

Philip Rutnam resigned as permanent secretary at the U.K. Home Office on Saturday, in a dramatic statement in which he accused his boss Home Secretary Priti Patel of lying and creating a climate of fear in her ministry.

In an update to Parliament, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said Johnson had asked government officials to establish the facts. He added that Patel rejects allegations that she breached the rules set out in the ministers' code of conduct.

The resignation of Rutnam -- who is taking legal action against the government -- puts pressure on Patel's position and damages the image of Johnson's administration at a sensitive time.

Rutnam quit as the top civil servant at the Home Office, the department that runs counter-terrorism, policing and immigration policy, and accused Patel of orchestrating a briefing campaign against him. He's now suing the government for constructive dismissal.

Johnson has expressed his confidence in Patel, who is a key member of his team and campaigned alongside him for Brexit during the 2016 referendum.

Patel's department has only 10 months to prepare and implement a new post-Brexit immigration regime and the loss of its most senior official risks throwing those plans into disarray.

Rutnam's departure further damages the reputation of Johnson's government, which has been hit by claims of internal power struggles, bullying and crises in personnel management in the short time since he won a majority in last December's general election. Two weeks ago, Sajid Javid quit as finance minister following a catastrophic breakdown in relations with Johnson.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Ross in London at tross54@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Flavia Krause-Jackson at fjackson@bloomberg.net, Tim Ross, Thomas Penny

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