How Boris Johnson’s hypocrisy could come back to bite him

From Dominic Cummings to Priti Patel, this government is failing to practice what it preaches – and the public has noticed, writes Sean O’Grady

The PM has chosen to override his own ministerial code and dismiss the judgement of his independent adviser (PRU/AFP via Getty)

The Johnson administration, almost a year after it gained its thumping parliamentary majority, has done little to dispel people’s cynical mood about politics. The prime minister’s latest letter to ministers and civil servants, issued jointly with the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, looks a little cynical, to say the least.  

The letter sets out, once again, a zero tolerance approach to bullying, urging all concerned to create an atmosphere of “mutual trust and respect between politicians and their officials”, in which there will be “no place for bullying”. In that respect this missive merely restates the prime minister’s personal foreword to the ministerial code which plainly states: “There must be no bullying and no harassment.” 

Some, of course, will prefer to judge the government by its actions rather than its words, and the restatement of sentiments that have been ignored does not restore their force. Priti Patel, the home secretary, has been found in breach of the ministerial code, yet the prime minister has chosen to use his discretion to override his own ministerial code and dismiss the judgement of his independent advisor, Sir Alex Allan, who has since quit. It has been an unedifying affair, and sheds light on two aspects of the developing behaviour and reputation of the government.