UK Union Calls on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Relinquish Power Over Bullying Complaints

The UK civil service union FDA has written to incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to remove his authority to decide on bullying and harassment complaints against ministers. The union says the current system forces civil servants to police their own bosses, leaving no clear written process or formal rights for complainants, and it discourages reporting for fear of retaliation. FDA general secretary Dave Penman calls for an independent investigative mechanism to restore confidence in the ministerial code and modernise workplace culture.

The complaint issue appears alongside broader political scrutiny of the UK government, including accusations that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson politicised European security talks and criticism of Britain’s response to humanitarian crises in the Middle East. Positive developments such as the reversal of the offshore wind ban, which adds to the UK’s leading position in renewable energy, are also highlighted.