Downing Street says Boris Johnson has 'full confidence' in Cabinet Secretary amid Meghan bullying claims

Boris Johnson still has full confidence in his top civil servant after it was claimed he knew about Meghan Markle’s alleged bullying of royal staff, Downing Street said, insisting there is “no place” for bullying in Government.

Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, was reportedly aware of allegations that the Duchess of Sussex had bullied Buckingham Palace staff in his capacity as the Duke of Cambridge’s private secretary in 2018.

Boris Johnson’s spokesman yesterday said he had “full confidence” in Mr Case in his new role as head of the Civil Service, but would not comment on the allegations about the Duchess or that the Cabinet Secretary knew about them.

The spokesman repeatedly said the controversy was a “matter for the Palace”.

Allegra Stratton, Mr Johnson’s press secretary, reminded reporters that the Prime Minister wrote to ministers last year to tell them there was no place for bullying in Government.

Bullying allegations are something both men “take seriously”, she said, adding: “The pair of them wrote to all government ministers last year underlining that commitment and making clear that in government we expect a culture which is respectful, professional and focussed on ambitious change, but in which there is no place for bullying.”