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Cameron calls for bullying probe Cameron calls for bullying probe
(40 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has called for an inquiry into allegations of bullying in Downing Street.Conservative leader David Cameron has called for an inquiry into allegations of bullying in Downing Street.
He said he was sure that Number 10 and the civil service would want to "get to the bottom" of the "serious matters". He said he was sure Number 10 and the civil service would want to "get to the bottom" of the "serious matters".
It follows separate claims about Gordon Brown's temper and by a bullying charity about the culture at No 10. The comments follow claims about Gordon Brown's temper and, separately, by a bullying charity about No 10's culture.
The Lib Dems said claims should be "cleared up", but Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said they were unfounded and part of a "political operation". The Lib Dems said allegations should be "cleared up" but Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said they were unfounded and part of a "political operation".
The row began with a story in the Observer based on a book by its chief political commentator, Andrew Rawnsley. It detailed incidents in which Gordon Brown allegedly grabbed staff by the lapels, shoved them aside and shouted at them. The row began with a story in the Observer - based on a book by journalist Andrew Rawnsley - saying Mr Brown had grabbed staff by the lapels, shoved them aside and shouted at them.
'Due process''Due process'
Lord Mandelson told the BBC on Sunday that Mr Brown was "demanding" but "doesn't bully people".Lord Mandelson told the BBC on Sunday that Mr Brown was "demanding" but "doesn't bully people".
However, the National Bullying Helpline's chief executive, Christine Pratt, contacted the BBC to say a flat denial sent out the wrong message and she would expect Downing Street to follow "due process".However, the National Bullying Helpline's chief executive, Christine Pratt, contacted the BBC to say a flat denial sent out the wrong message and she would expect Downing Street to follow "due process".
She said a small number of people who had worked at No 10 had contacted the charity, but insisted they had "absolutely not" accused Mr Brown personally of bullying.She said a small number of people who had worked at No 10 had contacted the charity, but insisted they had "absolutely not" accused Mr Brown personally of bullying.
NICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG Peter Mandelson is now claiming that there is a 'political operation' to undermine the prime minister. He has yet to say what he means by that or to provide any proof of it. Read Nick's thoughts in full Patron quits over 'bullying' row Have your sayNICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG Peter Mandelson is now claiming that there is a 'political operation' to undermine the prime minister. He has yet to say what he means by that or to provide any proof of it. Read Nick's thoughts in full Patron quits over 'bullying' row Have your say
Mr Cameron described the story as an "unseemly mess" and said: "I'm sure that Number 10 Downing Street and the civil service in some way will want to have some sort of inquiry to get to the bottom of what has happened here.Mr Cameron described the story as an "unseemly mess" and said: "I'm sure that Number 10 Downing Street and the civil service in some way will want to have some sort of inquiry to get to the bottom of what has happened here.
"One way for that to happen is for Sir Philip Mawer, who is in charge of policing the ministerial code, to be asked to look into this and to find out what has been happening and get to the bottom of it. "One way for that to happen is for Sir Philip Mawer, who is in charge of policing the ministerial code, to be asked to look into this and to find out what has been happening and get to the bottom of it."
"To me, all of this just says we need to get on, have a general election and have a fresh start."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the allegations from the National Bullying Helpline were "very serious" and had to be "cleared up by No 10".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the allegations from the National Bullying Helpline were "very serious" and had to be "cleared up by No 10".
But Mrs Pratt has been criticised by another bullying charity and one of her charity's own patrons, Cary Cooper, who resigned complaining she had breached callers' confidentiality.But Mrs Pratt has been criticised by another bullying charity and one of her charity's own patrons, Cary Cooper, who resigned complaining she had breached callers' confidentiality.
'Storm in a teacup' 'Put up or shut up'
Lord Mandelson, said: "This whole affair is starting to acquire a slight odour. Lord Mandelson, said: "This whole affair is starting to acquire a slight odour. I assumed that this was a storm in a teacup manufactured by somebody who wanted to get some good headlines for his book.
"I assumed that this was a storm in a teacup manufactured by somebody who wanted to get some good headlines for his book.
"It now looks like more of a political operation that's under way, directed at the prime minister personally.""It now looks like more of a political operation that's under way, directed at the prime minister personally."
He said there had been no evidence of bullying at Number 10, adding: "There is zero tolerance for bullying in the government as a whole, and certainly at the centre of government."He said there had been no evidence of bullying at Number 10, adding: "There is zero tolerance for bullying in the government as a whole, and certainly at the centre of government."
Lord Mandelson claimed Conservative press officers had "guided" journalists towards Mrs Pratt's charity and said people making allegations had no evidence and needed to "put up or shut up".
Lord Mandelson: "We've got better things to do in our lives"Lord Mandelson: "We've got better things to do in our lives"
And he claimed that Conservative press officers had "guided" journalists towards Mrs Pratt's charity, assuming she had "some fuel to throw on this fire".
But the Conservatives said Downing Street was trying to "smear the messenger as they have done so many times before" and denied Tory press officers had "guided" Mrs Pratt.But the Conservatives said Downing Street was trying to "smear the messenger as they have done so many times before" and denied Tory press officers had "guided" Mrs Pratt.
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said the charity had contacted a local BBC station independently on Sunday, which had passed on the information to the national BBC.BBC deputy political editor James Landale said the charity had contacted a local BBC station independently on Sunday, which had passed on the information to the national BBC.
Mr Rawnsley's book claimed that Sir Gus O'Donnell, the head of the civil service, had been so concerned about the reports that he had a private word with the prime minister about his behaviour. His stories have been denied by Downing Street and the Cabinet Office. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "I think the fact that there's so much concern about the allegations, and whether they were in fact made, is relevant.
They say Sir Gus never gave Mr Brown a verbal warning or launched an official investigation - Mr Rawnsley says his source was "24 carat" and he never said a formal inquiry had been launched. "And I think it's important to say that the prime minister is a man of passionate intensity when it comes to the issues facing Britain.
"He sets high standards for himself as well as for the rest of us and I think it's important we realise the seriousness of these issues."
'Rigorous'
The article in the Observer claimed that Sir Gus O'Donnell, the head of the civil service, had been so concerned about the reports that he had a private word with the prime minister about his behaviour.
His stories have been denied by Downing Street and the Cabinet Office who say Sir Gus never gave Mr Brown a verbal warning or launched an official investigation.
But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the prime minister's spokesman had repeatedly failed to deny claims that Sir Gus had spoken to Mr Brown about his treatment of staff.
Downing Street said it had never been contacted by the charity about the allegations and had "rigorous, well-established procedures" for "staff to address any concerns over inappropriate treatment or behaviour".Downing Street said it had never been contacted by the charity about the allegations and had "rigorous, well-established procedures" for "staff to address any concerns over inappropriate treatment or behaviour".
The prime minster's spokesman said: "Mrs Pratt has said there were no allegations about the prime minister and she has made that clear consistently. We don't know any detail of what has been suggested by Mrs Pratt and I don't think it is appropriate to make any further comment at this stage."The prime minster's spokesman said: "Mrs Pratt has said there were no allegations about the prime minister and she has made that clear consistently. We don't know any detail of what has been suggested by Mrs Pratt and I don't think it is appropriate to make any further comment at this stage."
Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is a patron of the National Bullying Helpline, whose website also displays a statement of support from David Cameron. She has criticised Mrs Pratt's decision to go public, saying the helpline was supposed to be confidential. Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, a patron of the National Bullying Helpline - whose website also displays a statement of support from Mr Cameron - has criticised Mrs Pratt's decision to go public, saying the helpline was supposed to be confidential.
Lord Mandelson's Department for Business recommends the helpline to businesses. Jeremy Heywood, Mr Brown's principal private secretary, has sent a memo insisting there is no culture of bullying and intimidation at Number 10.
However, he goes on to remind staff of the official civil service procedures for dealing with harassment or bullying.