“Priti Patel is a "tough, assertive and effective leader", say nearly 100 people who have worked with her, including former charity commission chief William Shawcross,
in a letter to The Telegraph.
Responding to
bullying allegations against Ms Patel by civil servants, the authors – from business, politics and academia – say the Home Secretary has "never crossed the line or lost her temper" even under pressure.
They claim she has been the target of a campaign of gossip, smears and malicious gossip by anonymous individuals who have failed to produce any verifiable facts.
"She is right to ask tough questions of senior civil servants at the Home Office, which has hardly covered itself in glory over recent years, even if a few of them don't like it. Most people would agree that the culture which produced scandals like Windrush must change," the letter says....