Priti Patel’s former aide ‘took overdose after being bullied and sacked’ by the Home Secretary

A FORMER aide took an overdose after being bullied and sacked by Home Secretary Priti Patel, legal documents claim.

The legal papers seen by the BBC say the woman was a Department for Work and Pensions official who spent the night in hospital after taking prescription drugs.

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Ms Patel was the employment minister at the time.

She was said to have shouted for the woman to “get lost” in an “unprovoked”, aggressive way.

It is claimed the same woman was given a £25,000 payout by the department when she threatened legal action.

The news came as Cabinet minister Michael Gove announced yesterday that there would be a probe into bullying allegations against Ms Patel.

The Cabinet Office will look into claims made by former Home Office boss Sir Philip Rutnam, who resigned on Saturday.

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Mr Gove told the Commons the inquiry, to be led by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, will decide if Ms Patel broke the ministerial code.

He also confirmed all historical complaints against Ms Patel will be heard.

Mr Gove said the PM backed Ms Patel, calling her “a superb minister doing a great job”.

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