Repeated Bullying By Your Boss

[Jdsk]

Reaction from the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/nov/24/pms-ethics-adviser-queries-johnsons-role-in-priti-patel-inquiry

and the previous Chair:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/23/priti-patel-refusal-blow-integrity-government-committee-standards-public-life-bullying

Jonathan

[Psamathe]

Johnson doesn't even seem to know where he stands. One day he's dismissing bullying despite his own inquiry finding bullying happened. Next day he's writing to Civil Service saying bullying mts never be tollerated.

Any now today he's

'I make no apology for standing by Priti Patel,' says Boris Johnson
...
Johnson accused Starmer of focusing on 'trivia' and accused Labour of 'bashing' Patel, who had apologised

So he now thinks bullying is "trivia" (at least if the bully is one of his mates) and that not saying sorry for bullying but saying sorry if her behaviour upset anybody is enough. It completely beggars belief and he is (supposed to be) leading the country. Good grief, words fail me.

Ian

[Oldjohnw]

So she apologized for something he said she never did.

I'm confused!

[Psamathe]

I think this is yet another illustration of Johnson's poor judgement. He seems to make daft decisions on the assumption they'll be a short outcry and "it will all brow over" - but it doesn't. Maybe through his elitist protected life he's got away with inappropriate decisions/actions but as PM it doesn't work quite the same way. So now

Union takes legal action over Boris Johnson’s decision to clear Priti Patel of bullying
...
The notice, which is the first step towards a judicial review of the decision, stated: “If the prime minister’s decision stands it sets a damaging precedent which gives carte blanche to the kind of unacceptable conduct which the home secretary was found to have committed.

“Civil servants in the Home Office and beyond will rightly object to their conduct being measured against a standard of conduct and unacceptable bullying which, it seems, does not apply to the home secretary or other ministers.”

Ian

[thirdcrank]

It's amazing to see what is becoming accepted as quite normal.

Essex lorry deaths: Trial was halted after Priti Patel tweet

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-55403058

This isn't some anonymity anonymously tweeting but one of the most senior actors in the country's legal system with access to all the legal advice they might need.

The BBC headline is misleading in that it implies the trial had to be discontinued which is not the case. The judge discussed the tweet with the counsel involved in the case and decided a warning to the jury would be adequate. Nevertheless, the judge might have felt obliged to stop the trial and order a re-trial with a different jury, or the defence might have appealed on the grounds it was a miscarriage of justice.

[Psamathe]

Another (alleged) case of bullying at work

Buckingham Palace to investigate bullying allegations against Meghan
Buckingham Palace is to investigate allegations of bullying against the Duchess of Sussex by former royal staff, it announced on Wednesday, as relations between members of the royal family appeared to descend to new lows.

In a highly unusual statement, the palace said it was “very concerned” by a report in the Times of claims that Meghan had driven out two personal assistants during her time as a working royal, while Kensington Palace staff had been “humiliated” on several occasions.
...

And the accused perpetrator is putting it down to "the firm" attacking her - ignoring (or conveniently overlooking) that the complaint was made back in October 2018 so hardly something suddenly contrived in response to her Opera performance.

And how naive can she be in expecting her much publicised tell all not to be responded to (when the allegations have recently become public). She is about to broadcast her "truth" and refers to the Royal Family as "The Firm" - what on earth does she expect? Not the fizziest drink in the fridge!

Ian

[Psamathe]

The Queen refers to the Royal Family thus, which is why it's in such common use, and isn't a derogatory term.

(I'm no supporter of the Royal Family) but one thing to use a term about oneself and another to have somebody else to us eit. And in the same sentence to accuse them of "perpetuating falsehoods about them".

"I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” Meghan said.

So I see the term being used in a derogatory manner.

Ian
EDIT: Corrected "(I'm so supporter of the Royal Family)" to "(I'm no supporter of the Royal Family)"

[Psamathe]

It's the term regularly used within that circle, as I tried to explain, but if you say it's being used in a derogatory manner then so be it.

IMHO it's the one thing in that statement that isn't, clearly stating that lies are being told by The Palace.[/quote]
Not publications I tend to read but e.g.

In the video, she refers to the royal family as 'The Firm' - a nickname that has often been used to suggest a darker side to the House of Windsor.

"The Firm" is one of the more derisive names used to refer to the royal family

Ian

[Psamathe]

Did you really go away and research this?

Look, you're completely right - it's 100% derogatory in every respect.

"Research" is a rather grand term for a Google search taking seconds - which I did as I'm not a Royal Watcher and accept my interpretation may have been wrong so, given my broad disagreement with monarchy I thought best to check and maybe understand more.

For me, not about being "right" but about understanding.

Ian

[Norman H]

Some of them are rather infirm.

[Oldjohnw]

It seems to me that by their very nature, Royal Families include bullying. Anyone employing, not help in the home but servants where you actually bow is prone to bullying.

[Paulatic]

Can’t be true anyway I saw Meghan in Woking Pizza Express at the time of the accusation.

[Jdsk]

"Priti Patel has reached a six-figure settlement with a senior civil servant following claims that he was forced out of his job for intervening in her alleged bullying of fellow staff, it has emerged."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... lip-rutnam

Jonathan

[Psamathe]

"Priti Patel has reached a six-figure settlement with a senior civil servant following claims that he was forced out of his job for intervening in her alleged bullying of fellow staff, it has emerged."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... lip-rutnam

Jonathan

And that is our money she is spending on compensating for her appalling behaviour. So we can reflect on those who are struggling getting enough to eat and depending on food banks whilst Ms Patel is totally unrepentant for her behaviour and how much we have to pay because of that.

Ian
EDIT: Embarrassing typo corrected (thanks Bonefishblues)

[Bonefishblues]

Nothing to see here