Boris Johnson could block release of investigation into Priti Patel bullying, head of civil service says

Simon Case says release of report will be up to prime minister

Boris Johnson is responsible for delays in the release of a report into alleged bulling by Priti Patel, the head of the civil service has suggested.

Simon Case, who became Cabinet Secretary last month, said it would be up to the prime minister whether the results of the investigation into the Home Secretary's conduct ever saw the light of day.

The Ms Patel was accused in February of being responsible for a "vicious and orchestrated" campaign against the top civil service at her department.

Sir Philip Rutnam, who has worked in the civil service for 33 years, said the Home Secretary's behaviour had included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands".

But eight months later the report is still unpublished, despite Cabinet minister Michael Gove saying at the time that it was "vital this investigation is concluded as quickly as possible".

Downing Street is regularly asked about what has happened to the probe into one of Mr Johnson's top ministers, but has long declined to give any updates.

In September it was reported that the prime minister is resisting pressure to publish the report, which supposedly says Ms Patel should apologise for her behaviour.

Asked about when the report would be published, head of the civil service Mr Case told the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee:

"It's important for me to tread carefully on this out of respect for all those involved in the process.

Home Secretary Priti Patel (AFP via Getty Images)

"The prime minister asked the Cabinet Office to establish the facts, that's done under the ministerial code, and under the code, as the committee will understand, the prime minister is the arbiter of conduct."

Mr Case said he would be accused of giving a "very civil service answer" but said he would not give "a running commentary on that process", adding: "I'm sure that the prime minister, once he's made his conclusions, will be making those public at the end of the process."

Asked specifically whether the report would definitely be published, Mr Case replied: "The prime minister is the arbiter of conduct, he is the one who has to draw conclusions from the process and then it's up to the prime minister, of course, to set out what he sees most fit at the end of that process."

He said the question of whether the report was published "absolutely rests with the prime minister", who he said was the "ultimate arbiter of the ministerial code".

BBC News previously reported in July that the investigation's findings had been "parked". Labour has said delays are likely down to political interference.