Kemi Badenoch has dismissed allegations that she bullied civil servants while she was a minister as “smears” designed to derail her Conservative Party leadership campaign.
Yesterday, the Guardian reported that multiple officials had alleged that Badenoch created an “intimidating” and “toxic” environment at the Department for Business and Trade while she was business secretary.
But Badenoch – who entered the Conservative Party leadership race this weekend – said the allegations were “utterly false” and politically motivated.
“Let’s be clear: these allegations are smears from former staff who I sacked after they were accused of bullying behaviour, lying about other colleagues to cover up their own failures and general gross incompetence. Intolerable behaviour I would not stand for,” she said.
Sources told the newspaper that at least three senior officials in Badenoch’s private office had experienced “bullying and traumatising” behaviour that compelled them to leave the department.
One official reportedly said that while it was normal for people to “lose their rag sometimes”, Badenoch’s behaviour often appeared to be “sustained and personal”.
Another said civil servants “dreaded” meetings because people frequently left feeling humiliated by Badenoch, on some occasions reduced to tears.
According to the newspaper, concerns about the working culture in the department during Badenoch’s 17 months there were so prevalent that they were addressed by senior officials in a “town hall” meeting in December.
There have been no investigations into the allegations or formal complaints about Badenoch’s behaviour as a minister.
However, sources told the Guardian that civil servants had spoken to DBT permanent secretary Gareth Davies about the alleged behaviour over the last year.
The Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team and at least one senior adviser to then-prime Rishi Sunak were also informally told about one allegation, the newspaper said.
Responding to the reports on X, Badenoch said: “Clearly my campaign launch has spooked the lefties and now they’re coming for the one person they know can beat Keir Starmer. "
"It’s all utterly false. But I won’t let it stop me or my campaign," she added.
A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on individual HR matters. However, there have never been any formal complaints or investigations into the previous secretary of state's conduct at this department.
"It is common for government departments to seek the views of civil servants and to discuss the results of those surveys in routine meetings with staff. We do not tolerate abuse or bullying of any kind."