The PCS union calls for a thorough investigation following multiple complaints of racial discrimination and bullying in government departments.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has urged the government to initiate a public inquiry into allegations of racism and bullying within the Cabinet Office, citing numerous complaints and ongoing legal disputes.

In a letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), which scrutinises civil service standards, PCS is requesting a select committee investigation into what it describes as longstanding issues of racial discrimination within the central government department.

The letter, seen by The Independent, highlights evidence the union has gathered, including formal complaints from over 80 members who have reported experiences of racial profiling and bullying. It also references an increasing number of Employment Tribunals, several of which have ruled in favour of the employees, as well as articles published by The Independent that have exposed systemic issues.

John Moloney, Assistant General Secretary of PCS, stated in the letter: “We hope the committee will investigate how the Cabinet Office has dealt with claims of racial discrimination and whether it has fully adhered to the Civil Service Code, especially in terms of openness and honesty with staff and unions.” He added that PACAC’s powers could compel the Cabinet Office to disclose the full scale of discrimination within the department, which the union believes may be more widespread than it is aware of.

This request follows The Independent’s revelations about systemic racism within the Cabinet Office, including the case of Kay Badu, a Black civil servant who received a significant payout after alleging racial discrimination within the Government Digital Service. Despite the settlement, the Cabinet Office did not admit liability or accept many of the claims made.

Dame Helen Macnamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, also expressed concerns about “systemic” racial issues within the department before her departure. In response to these reports, campaigners and politicians, including the Labour Party, Black Lives Matter, and Stand Up To Racism, have called for a formal investigation into the Cabinet Office’s treatment of race-related complaints.

Furthermore, Olivea Ebanks, another former civil servant, was awarded a six-figure settlement after making three successful race discrimination claims against the Ministry of Justice over 20 years.

Earlier this year, PCS withdrew from a government-led review into racism in the Cabinet Office, accusing it of being a “whitewash.” The union argued that the department’s Respect and Inclusion Review was a superficial exercise that failed to tackle discrimination at its core.

According to a staff survey conducted by the Cabinet Office in January, the department reported the highest number of bullying and harassment incidents in Whitehall. The Institute for Government (IfG), in its Whitehall Monitor report, also highlighted that diversity remains a major challenge within the civil service, with significant gaps in representation at all levels.

In response to the ongoing concerns, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The Cabinet Office does not tolerate bullying, harassment, or discrimination in any form. Although reported incidents have decreased since 2019, we acknowledge there is more work to be done. This is why we commissioned an independent review into Respect and Inclusion, and we are committed to ensuring the department remains a supportive and inclusive workplace.”