HOME Secretary Priti Patel has strongly denied allegations of bullying amid growing pressure for her to resign from the Government.

The Witham MP has been accused of belittling members of staff and making unreasonable demands since taking up her role as Home Secretary last July.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered the Cabinet Office to “establish the facts” following the accusations.

And Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has confirmed an investigation is underway into whether Ms Patel has breached the ministerial code.

The probe was launched just days after Sir Philip Rutnam quit as permanent secretary of the Home Office after rows with Ms Patel.

A spokesman for the Home Secretary said Ms Patel “completely rejects all allegations made against her”.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Gove said: “Allegations have been made that the Home Secretary has breached the ministerial code.

“The Prime Minister has expressed his full confidence in her, and having worked closely with the Home Secretary over a number of years, I have the highest regard for her. She is a superb minister doing a great job.

“This Government always takes any complaints relating to the ministerial code seriously and in line with the process set out in the ministerial code the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to establish the facts.”

Despite public backing from Government colleagues, Ms Patel is facing calls to stand down.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott told BBC Radio 4 Ms Patel should step aside while a “genuinely independent inquiry” took place into the claims.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union - which represents senior civil servants - has also questioned how the probe will be handled.

He said it fell “far short” of the independent inquiry the union has previously called for.

Further allegations have also emerged against the Home Secretary emerged relating to her time as employment minister in the Department for Work and Pensions five years ago.