Priti Patel has suggested that reports about her shouting and swearing at colleagues are “not accurate”.
The Home Secretary was asked about bullying allegations after an inquiry concluded she had "unintentionally" breached the ministerial code in her behaviour towards civil servants.
Standards chief Sir Alex Allan cited examples of "shouting and swearing" in his findings.
However, Ms Patel suggested that was not accurate and told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that many changes were underway at the Home Office following the inquiry.
Presenter Nick Robinson quizzed her on whether she had changed her behaviour, asking: “So people who think you scream at your colleagues and swear at them, you’ve learnt your lesson?”
Ms Patel replied: “Well, that’s not accurate for a start. But as I’ve said there are changes and that applies to myself as well.”
Robinson added: “I only asked you because that’s what the report said. Instances of shouting and swearing.”
Ms Patel added: “Well, that’s a summary of the report. I’m not sure you’ve read the report because I haven’t read the report.”
During the interview Ms Patel was asked about changing her behaviour and replied: “I have apologised for that and also there were references to other things that were taking place within my organisation.
“There are many, many changes that are underway right now. That applies not just to behaviour but culture and various leadership within the organisation too.”
Pressed if she was changing, she replied: “I’ve made it quite clear that it’s across the board, it applies to everyone including myself.”
Sir Alex – who was asked by the PM to investigate the allegations - resigned after Boris Johnson backed the Home Secretary.
Mr Johnson rejected his findings, saying he did not think Ms Patel was a bully and had "full confidence" in her.
Ms Patel issued an “unreserved apology” following the inquiry and said: “"I have clearly upset people in the past and on reflection - and I have had time to reflect upon this as well - looking at what has been published today on the report, there is no question I'm absolutely sorry for the upset that has been caused and I'm very, very clear about that."
