Denying accusations of "bullying" civil servants, Indian-origin COP26 president and UK's former Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he was never made aware of any informal complaints or otherwise from the staff, media reports said.
According to a Bloomberg report, four senior officials had accused Sharma of being "difficult, unpredictable and quick to lose his temper", which included berating, using profanities, and reducing a junior official to tears.
Of the four staff members, who worked alongside Sharma between 2020 and 2022, two said that during the pandemic he would contact junior civil servants on Microsoft Teams to criticise their work.
Concerns were raised with senior managers about Sharma's behaviour on at least four occasions in 2020, but no formal complaints were made, the staff claimed.
One of them told Bloomberg that he had resorted to antidepressants and mental-health support to cope with the pressure of working under the minister.
In response to the reports, Sharma told Bloomberg: "I have never been made aware of any ainformal complaints' or otherwise from staff. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that there are no records of any informal or formal complaints across government about me. I refute strongly these allegations.
"I have worked with hundreds of officials as a government minister and always felt I maintained a good relationship with them, exemplified by seven of my (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) private office team, those officials working most closely with me, choosing to join my (COP26) private office alongside those I had worked with in previous ministerial roles."
The report on Sharma's bullying claims came days before Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned from the government on Friday after an independent report found he had bullied officials.
Agra-born Sharma, who moved to the UK when he just five years old, was honoured by King Charles III last year for his contribution to combating climate change through his role as the President of 26th UN Climate Change Conference.
One more person planted in Raj Bhavan with sinister intent: Bengal Governor
In an audio message released on Friday, the Governor claimed that Raj Bhavan received a confidential report that political forces had planted one more person in the Raj Bhavan with sinister intent.
Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Raebareli
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday filed his nomination papers from the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat. Congress workers and Samajwadi Party workers turned out in full force to welcome Rahul to Raebareli.
'Daro mat, bhaago mat': PM Modi's stinging jibe at 'Shehzada', top Congress leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, hours after he was fielded from Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency, the seat vacated by former Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Trinamool govt wants to make Hindus second-class citizens in Bengal: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that the Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal government wants to make the Hindus second-class citizens in the state.
Will bring back politics of 'sewa' in Amethi: Priyanka
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Friday that the grand old party would bring back the politics of "sewa" to Amethi, where the party has fielded Kishori Lal Sharma.
Helicopter crashes en route to pick up Shiv Sena leader in Maha's Raigad
In a shocker, a private helicopter which was flying to pick up Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare, suddenly crashed on landing, officials said here on Friday.
LS polls: Rahul Gandhi to contest from Raebareli, K.L. Sharma in Amethi
Ending days of suspense, the Congress has finally announced that Rahul Gandhi will contest from the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency, the seat held earlier by his mother Sonia Gandhi.
Govt soon to launch Kidney transplant procedures at GB Pant Hospital: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha announced on Thursday that the state will soon commence kidney transplant procedures at the GB Pant Hospital and informed that the government is considering the establishment of an iron removal plant for water within the hospital premises.