Addressing the allegations on Radio 4’s Today programme, the senior Labour MP said the government
must establish a “genuinely independent inquiry”.
“To restore confidence in the respect that the government has for its civil servants, we want a genuinely
independent inquiry,” Ms Abbott said. She went on: “We’ve had other allegations come up overnight and
unless you have a conclusive, independent inquiry this thing may well run on.”
“This is a major department, this is a serious allegation. You cannot have a minister who is in breach of the
ministerial code and she should step down now ... I must say it will be better if she stepped down. We’re
calling on her to step down while the inquiry goes on.”
The shadow home secretary also suggested an external lawyer should be brought in to lead the inquiry into
bullying allegations against Ms Patel, who denies the claims.
Telling MPs the Cabinet Office would investigate the claims, cabinet minister Michael Gove said on
Monday: “Allegations have been made that the home secretary has breached the ministerial code. The
home secretary absolutely rejects these allegations. The prime minister has expressed his full confidence in
her, and having worked closely with the home secretary over a number of years, I have the highest regard
for her, she is a superb minister doing a great job.
“This government always takes any complaints relating to the ministerial code seriously, and in line with
the process set out in the ministerial code the prime minister has asked the Cabinet Office to establish the
facts.”