THE Home Office spent more than £370,000 to settle a top civil servant’s tribunal claim after he quit amid bullying allegations against Priti Patel, it emerged today.

Labour said that taxpayers would be “appalled” at having to foot the bill after former permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam accepted the six-figure sum earlier this year following legal action against the Home Secretary.

He dramatically resigned in February last year, accusing Ms Patel of a “vicious and orchestrated” briefing campaign against him, claiming constructive dismissal and accusing her of bullying subordinates.

The Home Office’s annual report and accounts for 2020-21 confirm that he received a payout of £340,000 plus legal costs — taking the spend to at least £370,000 plus VAT of an anticipated £6,000.

Although the figures were previously reported, neither Sir Philip’s representatives nor the department publicly disclosed the amount at the time.

Boris Johnson’s independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Alex Allan, resigned after the Prime Minister rejected his findings that the Home Secretary had broken the ministerial code. 

Despite Sir Alex concluding that Ms Patel had “not consistently met the high standards expected of her,” Mr Johnson said he had “full confidence” in his Cabinet colleague and he considered the matter closed. 

Reacting to today’s revelation, shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “Taxpayers will be appalled at having to pick up the bill for [this] unacceptable behaviour – this money could have been used on extra police officers or tackling anti-social behaviour.

“It was wrong that when Priti Patel broke the ministerial code, it was the [PM]’s independent adviser who resigned. 

“As usual with this government, it is one rule for them, another for everyone else.”