priti patel
In a letter to ministers and senior civil servants, the prime minister also warned them not to leak "private conversations".
Exclusive: Less than a quarter of Tory MPs on Twitter and just five cabinet ministers post in support of “the prittster” - Lib Dem analysis.
Downing Street did not deny suggestions that the PM had tried and failed to convince Sir Alex Allan to tone down his conclusion on Patel's behaviour.
The home secretary has mastered the non-apology over the years.
“It’s the elitist thing - it’s Barnard Castle, it’s Priti Patel.”
Sir Alex Allan leaves government after PM overrules his advice that the home secretary's "shouting and swearing" behaviour breached the rules.
Sir Alex Allan has resigned after Boris Johnson overruled his findings that the home secretary breached the ministerial code.
Former cabinet secretary Lord Mark Sedwill said the inquiry's initial findings were "with him", referring to the prime minister.
Home secretary Priti Patel said the move was a "precautionary measure" and "not based on any specific threat".
"Any measures which stop people expressing dissent are deeply worrying and should be treated with suspicion," human rights group Liberty said.