THE UK Government paid a former Priti Patel aide £25,000 after they claimed she had bullied them, it has been revealed.

Legal correspondence, seen by the BBC, alleges the woman had an overdose of prescription medicine after the alleged incident in 2015 - when Patel was employment minister.

The DWP did not admit liability and the case was not seen before a tribunal.

The news comes as Patel faces allegations that she has mistreated staff in her new role as Home Secretary. Patel denies the allegations.

The Home Office's permanent secretary resigned at the weekend, saying he plans take legal action against the Government on the grounds of constructive dismissal. 

READ MORE: Philip Rutnam: Top Home Office civil servant resigns from role

Sir Philip Rutnam alleged Patel's conduct towards staff included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands".

The new correspondence shows a junior employee at the DWP brought forward a complaint of bullying and harassment against the department, including Patel, in 2015. She had recently been dismissed.

The grievance letter alleges she had previously attempted suicide after reporting similar allegations of bullying regarding another individual before Patel became a minister. 

She went on to allege she was told the reason for her dismissal a year later was not based on her performance, but because Patel did not "like [her] face".

She claims on that same day that Patel had told her to "get lost" and "get out of her face" while shouting at the woman in her office.

Not long after, the woman allegedly took an overdose of prescription medicine while at work. She was said to have become unresponsive and a colleague called her partner to collect her.

READ MORE: Priti Patel backed by Boris Johnson after ‘bullying’ claims

According to the documents, the woman was later rushed to the hospital after taking a further overdose at home in what is described as an attempt to kill herself. 

After the member of staff threatened legal action against the DWP - including Patel who is directly named - claiming bullying, harassment and discrimination on the grounds of race and disability, a settlement was reached for £25,000 in 2017.

A source close to Patel was last week asked about a complaint made against her while she was at the DWP. They said they were "unaware of any complaint being made".

Boris Johnson defended Patel this weekend following Rutnam's allegations, calling her "a fantastic Home Secretary".

And Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the Home Secretary "absolutely rejects these allegations".

READ MORE: Priti Patel's ex-Ukip employee criticised over women police claim

Asked if complaints had been made about Patel while she was at the DWP or during her time as international development secretary, Gove said: "The inquiry that is proceeding will look at all complaints that may have been made, I cannot say more than that."

And a UK Government spokesperson said: "All ministers are subject to the ministerial code. We do not comment on individual personnel matters."

The Cabinet Office will investigate the claims made by Rutnam, but it will not set up a fully independent inquiry into the allegations.