131. The relevance of these findings requires some further explanation. It is not suggested that Ms Romeo told the DPM that any complaints about him were well-founded or conveyed any specific allegation. Nor is it suggested that the DPM was told that his conduct was or might amount to bullying. The relevance of the findings is that the DPM had been told on 9 March 2022, and reminded on 14 July 2022, that he should regulate his behaviour by not communicating frustration directly to individual civil servants in the context of particular meetings. In addition, and in view of the DPM's dispute as to whether these conversations occurred, I infer that he did not accept that there was any legitimate basis for such regulation of his behaviour.
(8) The resilience of officials
132. The DPM did not at any time suggest that any of the Complaints was derived from a so-called 'snowflake' quality or allege that any of the individuals concerned should be so regarded.
133. The DPM made the point, which I accept, that he (and any Minister) is reasonably entitled to expect a certain level of resilience from civil servants, particularly those who are at SCS level. So far as may be relevant, I did not detect any material lack of resilience in those who had made the Complaints. Most of the individuals in question had many years of experience working closely with Ministers.
134. In view of the need to maintain confidentiality, I cannot state detailed findings about the complainants. I can record the following points:
- (1) There was a general acceptance of the propositions that Ministers are entitled to have high standards and to make constructive criticism of work.
- (2) It was also accepted that it is the role of the Civil Service to adapt to Ministers' working preferences and in each of the relevant departments, that is what individuals strove to achieve.
- (3) The individuals involved in private office in each of the departments went to considerable lengths to respond to the DPM's working preferences (by, for example, setting up arrangements to archive submissions and enable them to be retrieved quickly or to calibrate the amount of work provided to the DPM for car journeys).
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