Jump directly to the content
KNIVES OUT

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is branded ‘unpleasant’ and ‘difficult’ by civil servants following Raab bullying row

HEALTH Secretary Steve Barclay is the latest top minister to have his conduct called into question by civil servants.

Colleagues at the Department of Health say Barclay is “generally a bit unpleasant”, adding that he’s “very difficult”.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is the latest top minister to have his conduct called into question by civil servants.
1
Health Secretary Steve Barclay is the latest top minister to have his conduct called into question by civil servants.Credit: Getty

Last week Dominic Raab quit after accusations he’d bullied staff — and he predicted more ministers will face bullying probes.

A source close to the health secretary said: "I read and despair - this is a man who had impeccably high standards and expected the best from people - but he is running a bloody government department.

"This is a guy who personally hand-wrote notes to people to say thank you for their work.

“It's clear this complaints process needs updating to stop those with the loudest noises from grumbling anonymously."

READ MORE ON BULLYING CLAIMS

One ally of Mr Barclay said: “The allegations are totally untrue. No complaint has been made.”

Topics