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Mr Johnson decided to stand by his Home Secretary following the release of a report into her conduct towards civil servants in her department. A report into her conduct in the Home Office found Ms Patel’s behaviour had fallen below ministerial standards. Following the release of the report, Express.co.uk asked in our exclusive poll, “Should Boris have sacked his Home Secretary Priti Patel after bullying report?”

Voting in the poll, 13,506 out of 18,091 agreed the Prime Minister was right not to sack his Home Secretary.

Just 4,405 said he should while only 180 were not sure.

Commenting on the poll, Express.co.uk readers claimed the Home Office was not fit for purpose and needed to be reformed.

One person said: “At last a Home Secretary prepared to stand up and be counted not just another boot licker.

“The country has known for a long time of the failings and ineptitude of the civil service especially at the top.”

A second said: “Absolutely right. The civil servants are crying about having to do their jobs and the wokesters, many of who are civil servants, are crying with them.”

A third said: “Boris was right.

“Ms Patel was doing her job to get that department in order. Which quite obviously needed doing.”

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A fourth said: “Johnson was right to back Ms Patel.

“Too long have the left-wing civil servants wielded too much power and kept the status quo to please themselves and others with similar opinions and beliefs.”

An investigation into Ms Patel’s conduct was launched in March following accusations made against her by Sir Philip Rutnam.

Sir Philip stood down from his position as permanent secretary to the Home Office in February and is currently taking action against Ms Patel.

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Permanent Secretary for standards, Sir Alex Allan, then conducted an investigation into the allegations.

After Mr Johnson issued an official warning to Ms Patel instead of removing her, Sir Alex resigned from his post.

Following the report, Ms Patel did issue an apology over her behaviour.

Ms Patel also insisted she had not intended to upset anyone within her department.

She added: “I work with thousands of brilliant civil servants every single day and we work together, day in, day out, to deliver on the agenda of this government.

“And I’m absolutely sorry for anyone that I have upset.”

The ministerial code sets out the expected behaviour while in office.

It states a minister must pay respect to civil servants and other colleagues.

Mr Johnson’s press secretary, Allegra Stratton said: “He loathes bullying.

“He takes it very seriously and recognises that it is very difficult for people to come forward and raise concerns.

“It’s a brave thing to do, he knows that, and he believes that this process has been thorough.

“But it is also his responsibility to look at the conclusions in the round.”

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