Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Priti Patel is target of 'smear campaign', say nearly 100 allies

PRITI PATEL, who was struck by a “tsunami” of allegations, has been buoyed by strong backing from nearly 100 allies.

In a letter sent to The Telegraph, people who had worked with the home secretary at various stages defended her as a “tough, assertive and effective leader”.


Patel had been targeted by a barrage of accusations—which was compared to “a tsunami”, and later “tropical storms”—on bullying officials.

The letter, authored by people from business, politics and academia, asserted that the home secretary “never crossed the line or lost her temper” even under “extreme pressure”.

The 92 signatories included former charity commission chair William Shawcross, Conservative election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby, Hindu Forum of Britain president Trupti Patel and Lord Suri, Lord Rami, police commissioner Matthew Scott and transplant surgeon Nadey Hakim.

Patel, they believed, was the target of a malicious smear campaign.

The Home Office was caught in a “toxic war” that saw Sir Philip Rutnam resign as permanent secretary, after accusing Patel of bullying and deceiving.

Critics called Patel a “serial offender”, and wanted her sacked. And Labour vehemently demanded an independent inquiry into Patel’s alleged breach of the ministerial code.

Boris Johnson ordered a Cabinet Office probe to “establish the facts” on the allegations linked to the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for International Development.

 

The prime minister, however, strongly backed Patel, asserting that his “instinct is very much to stick with Prit” as she was doing an “outstanding job facing a lot of headwinds”.

Authors of the letter, too, praised Patel’s work, and portrayed her as “thoughtful, caring and compassionate”.

“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,” said the letter. “Most people would agree that the culture which produced scandals like Windrush must change.”

The authors, who had worked or campaigned with Patel “often at times of stress and high emotion”, added that they “do not recognise the picture that has been painted of her this week”.

“There's no argument that she is a tough, assertive and effective leader, but even under extreme pressure she has never crossed a line or lost her temper,” they said. “She expects high standards, as a strong leader should, but is always professional. She gives her all for this country and deserves far better treatment than she has received.”

They noted that it was “vital for the health of our democracy that good ministers cannot be brought down by smears, gossip and innuendo”.

Patel, they insisted, deserved “whole-hearted support of the people of the UK” as she was striving to “turn around the performance of a vital but notoriously dysfunctional ministry”.

More For You

Croydon couple dies in Air India crash after baby shower trip

Vaibhav Patel and his wife Jinal Goswami

Croydon couple dies in Air India crash after baby shower trip

A YOUNG couple from Croydon were among those killed in last week's devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, it has been confirmed.

Vaibhav Patel, 29, and his pregnant wife Jinal Goswami, 27, died when their flight crashed just moments after takeoff on June 12. Goswami was seven months pregnant with the couple's first child, reports said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Iran-Israel-clash-Reuters

Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran on June 18, 2025.

Reuters

Israel hits nuclear reactors in Iran; hospital struck in retaliation

ISRAEL launched airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities on Thursday, while Iranian missiles damaged an Israeli hospital, escalating the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue its campaign until Iran's nuclear programme is destroyed. “The tyrants of Tehran will pay the full price,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said he was honoured to meet Munir and that they discussed Iran, noting that Pakistan had deep knowledge of the country.

Getty Images

Trump hosts Asim Munir, again claims role in ending India-Pakistan conflict

PRESIDENT Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday, a rare meeting that appeared to deepen disagreement with India over Trump’s recent remarks about mediating the India-Pakistan conflict.

This was the first time a US president hosted Pakistan’s army chief at the White House without senior Pakistani civilian officials. Munir is widely regarded as the most influential figure in Pakistan.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-UK free trade agreement brings business stability: Goyal

Piyush Goyal (C) and Jonathan Reynolds discuss the UK-India FTA and the bilateral investment treaty in London. (Photo: X/ @INSIGHTUK2)

India-UK free trade agreement brings business stability: Goyal

THE India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) brings "stability and predictability" for businesses in both countries, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday (18).

During a session at the India Global Forum (IGF) UK-India Week titled 'Agreement to Action in the UK-India FTA', the minister shared his optimism around the "good marriage" agreed between both countries, which will lead to doubling bilateral trade in five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Traveller Dies from Rabies After Dog Exposure in Morocco

Rabies causes a serious infection of the brain and nervous system in humans

iStock

UK woman dies from rabies after Morocco dog exposure

A woman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has died after contracting rabies following contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The agency stated that the woman became infected during her trip to the North African country. There is no documented evidence of rabies spreading between humans, so the wider public is not considered at risk.

Keep ReadingShow less