Yesterday, Priti Patel admitted that she was uncomfortable when she first arrived at the Home Office as an ethnic minorities woman.
The Home Secretary stated to peers that she received push-back from officials two years ago when she was appointed.
She said, “I’m an ethnic minority Home Secretary, coming into the Department where, you’ll know, it didn’t feel that comfortable.”
“Departments become institutionalized in their thinking and ways of working.”
Priti Patel (pictured), admitted she didn’t feel at ease when she took over as the Home Office’s chief ethnic minority woman. She told peers she experienced ‘pushback’ from officials.
Miss Patel said that officials were resistant when she tried to bring in reforms that she believed were crucial.
She told the Lords justice and home affairs committee: ‘We are democratically-elected politicians, elected by the British public. They want change.
“Yes, they want reform. It’s up to us to understand the core components of these core components so that we can better serve people.
“And that has always remained integral to me, both my instincts as well as my line of questioning, which has been challenging.
Miss Patel (pictured in March) indicated officials were resistant as she attempted to bring in reforms she believed were vital when she was appointed two years ago
‘It’s been difficult. I’ve received a lot pushback from many, numerous quarters.
It comes after Sir Philip Rutnam, a top Home Office civil servant, resigned last year.
He claimed that he was subject to allegations that Miss Patel had’shouted and swore, belittling others, making unreasonable and repetitive demands’.
A Cabinet Office investigation revealed that she violated rules about ministerial behavior. Boris Johnson however allowed her to keep her job.