Border Force head who proposed 'Naked Attraction' game with staff exited civil service with clean record

A Home Office inquiry has determined that one of its high-ranking officials engaged in inappropriate conduct and harassment towards a female colleague before departing the civil service with a clean record following a disorganized disciplinary process.

The matter has raised such serious concerns within the department that the newly appointed permanent secretary, Antonia Romeo, has initiated an immediate review of complaint handling, conduct protocols, and disciplinary measures to "ensure trust in the fairness of the system."

Steve Dann, the former chief operating officer (COO) of Border Force, was effectively barred from visiting the agency’s offices in Paris in 2023 after suggesting to female staff that regional directors could participate in a game inspired by *Naked Attraction*, a television program featuring fully undressed contestants. He later told investigators he did not remember the incident.

Dann, who held the £120,000-a-year position for four years, also faced accusations of using derogatory language toward women and making remarks with sexual undertones, according to internal sources.

He disputed the claims, stating his words had been misconstrued and that the inquiry conducted by the Home Office’s professional standards unit relied on selective evidence. While admitting some comments might have been careless, he maintained he never meant to cause distress.

The initial complaint underwent a flawed HR review, described by one source as marked by "procedural missteps and delays," before eventually being upheld on appeal.

Dann was unaware of the process until the first phase concluded. He was also subjected to a separate misconduct investigation into the allegations, which did not result in any findings against him.

He chose to resign from the Home Office in December of last year, stepping down from his role as COO of Border Force—a position central to enforcing immigration laws and managing security, including during the small-boats crisis. He has since transitioned to a role in the private sector involving security, law enforcement, and public safety operations.

The complaint against Dann was first lodged in February 2024, following 18 months of collaboration. An internal review began two months later, with the final report citing testimonies from named officials that allegedly supported claims of sexist remarks.

Though initially dismissed, the complaint was later upheld on appeal in October 2024. Dann was excluded from this process and not given a chance to reply.

A concurrent misconduct investigation, also based on the professional standards unit’s findings, did not result in any sanctions, nor was it noted on Dann’s official record, though he was reportedly advised to undergo additional training.