Intel sharing

MI5 rejects claims that officials withhold intelligence from Priti Pate

MI5 has rejected claims that its officials are withholding information from Priti Patel because they do not trust her.

An informed security source said the report about Patel’s relationship with the agency in the Sunday Times was “simply untrue” and that she was getting the same information from the agency as any other home secretary.

The report was published after a series of stories – which have not been fully denied – claiming that Patel has had a series of difficult relationships with officials during her ministerial career, and that she is currently trying to oust the permanent secretary at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutnam.

However a Home office spokesman said on Sunday: “The home secretary and permanent secretary are deeply concerned about the number of false allegations appearing in the media.