Jon Trickett MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, responding to Sir Philip Rutnam quitting the Home Office over a “vicious and orchestrated” campaign against him by Home Secretary Priti Patel’s office, said:

“It is astonishing that a senior civil servant in the Home Office feels driven to sue this chaotic government for constructive dismissal. And at a time when the country faces multiple serious crises with flooding, storm damage and Coronavirus over which the part-time Prime Minister is missing in action.

“This is an authoritarian regime failing in basic administration whilst threatening vital institutions such as the judiciary, BBC and now senior public servants. The Prime Minister must come to the House of Commons to answer Sir Philip Rutnam’s allegations without delay.”