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| Cameron expects bullying inquiry | Cameron expects bullying inquiry |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Tory leader David Cameron has said he expects there will be an inquiry into claims of bullying in Downing Street. | Tory leader David Cameron has said he expects there will be an inquiry into claims 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 that Number 10 and the civil service would want to "get to the bottom" of the "serious matters". |
| It follows separate claims in a book about the PM's temper and by a bullying charity about the culture at No 10. | It follows separate claims in a book about the PM's temper and by a bullying charity about the culture at No 10. |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said claims should be "cleared up". Lord Mandelson said they were unfounded and a "political operation" against the PM. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said claims should be "cleared up". Lord Mandelson said they were unfounded and a "political operation" against the PM. |
| The National Bullying Helpline's chief executive Christine Pratt said some people who had worked at No 10 had contacted the charity but had not accused Mr Brown of bullying. | The National Bullying Helpline's chief executive Christine Pratt said some people who had worked at No 10 had contacted the charity but had not accused Mr Brown of bullying. |
| 'Fresh start' | 'Fresh start' |
| She said earlier she was "not political in any way" but "saw red" on Sunday when Lord Mandelson had denied any bullying at No 10, following allegations in the Observer. She said she would expect Downing Street to follow "due process" and investigate complaints. | She said earlier she was "not political in any way" but "saw red" on Sunday when Lord Mandelson had denied any bullying at No 10, following allegations in the Observer. She said she would expect Downing Street to follow "due process" and investigate complaints. |
| Mr Cameron 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 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. |
| NICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG The woman who told the BBC her National Bullying Helpline was called by three people who worked with the prime minister is now at the centre of a political storm Read Nick's latest blog in full Patron quits over 'bullying' row | NICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG The woman who told the BBC her National Bullying Helpline was called by three people who worked with the prime minister is now at the centre of a political storm Read Nick's latest blog in full Patron quits over 'bullying' row |
| "To me, all of this just says we need to get on, have a general election and have a fresh start." | "To me, all of this just says we need to get on, have a general election and have a fresh start." |
| Earlier, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also said the allegations from the National Bullying Helpline were "very serious" and had to be "cleared up by No 10". | Earlier, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also said the allegations from the National Bullying Helpline were "very serious" and had to be "cleared up by No 10". |
| But Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, said: "This whole affair is starting to acquire a slight odour. | But Business Secretary 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." |
| 'Demanding' | 'Demanding' |
| The row began with allegations about Mr Brown's behaviour towards staff, in a book by the Observer's chief political commentator, Andrew Rawnsley, published in the newspaper on Sunday. | The row began with allegations about Mr Brown's behaviour towards staff, in a book by the Observer's chief political commentator, Andrew Rawnsley, published in the newspaper on Sunday. |
| Mr Rawnsley said 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. | Mr Rawnsley said 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. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| The stories have been denied by Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson told the BBC on Sunday Mr Brown was "demanding" but "doesn't bully people". | The stories have been denied by Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson told the BBC on Sunday Mr Brown was "demanding" but "doesn't bully people". |
| But National Bullying Helpline chief executive Mrs Pratt contacted the BBC to say his comments sent out the wrong message to bosses facing bullying accusations. | But National Bullying Helpline chief executive Mrs Pratt contacted the BBC to say his comments sent out the wrong message to bosses facing bullying accusations. |
| She said her charity had been contacted - by phone and through people downloading information from its website - by a small number of staff within Gordon Brown's office. | She said her charity had been contacted - by phone and through people downloading information from its website - by a small number of staff within Gordon Brown's office. |
| But she told the BBC on Monday she did not know exactly how many calls were made and asked if anyone who contacted her had said Mr Brown himself had bullied them, she told the BBC on Monday: "Absolutely not, and nor have we said that Gordon Brown is a bully. | But she told the BBC on Monday she did not know exactly how many calls were made and asked if anyone who contacted her had said Mr Brown himself had bullied them, she told the BBC on Monday: "Absolutely not, and nor have we said that Gordon Brown is a bully. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Strong leadership is about making tough decisions - it is not about shouting, pointing fingers or pushing people around Tim, UK Send your comments | |
| "Our concern here is the public statement from No 10 of denial. | "Our concern here is the public statement from No 10 of denial. |
| "We would have hoped that Gordon Brown would have said that he was looking into this, that due process was being followed, and that he takes these issues seriously." | "We would have hoped that Gordon Brown would have said that he was looking into this, that due process was being followed, and that he takes these issues seriously." |
| Mr Brown's parliamentary aide, the Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who has had links with the charity, criticised Mrs Pratt and asked how she could have known the calls had come from No 10 staff. | Mr Brown's parliamentary aide, the Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who has had links with the charity, criticised Mrs Pratt and asked how she could have known the calls had come from No 10 staff. |
| And one of the charity's patrons, Professor Cary Cooper, resigned saying Mrs Pratt had breached callers' confidentiality - something she denies. | And one of the charity's patrons, Professor Cary Cooper, resigned saying Mrs Pratt had breached callers' confidentiality - something she denies. |
| 'Character with passion' | 'Character with passion' |
| Former deputy prime minister John Prescott said previous complaints about bullying in government departments had centred on civil servants not politicians. | Former deputy prime minister John Prescott said previous complaints about bullying in government departments had centred on civil servants not politicians. |
| He said Mr Brown was "a character with passion, even he admits that, and sometimes he gets annoyed - a bit of my own personality I might say" but he added: "He gets things done." | He said Mr Brown was "a character with passion, even he admits that, and sometimes he gets annoyed - a bit of my own personality I might say" but he added: "He gets things done." |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Downing Street said it had never been contacted by the charity about the allegations, a No 10 spokesman adding that it 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, a No 10 spokesman adding that it had "rigorous, well-established procedures" for "staff to address any concerns over inappropriate treatment or behaviour". |
| "The civil service will continue to have a no tolerance policy on bullying," the spokesman said. | "The civil service will continue to have a no tolerance policy on bullying," the spokesman said. |
| Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is a patron of the charity, whose website also displays a statement of support from Conservative leader David Cameron. Miss Widdecombe has criticised Mrs Pratt's decision to go public, saying the helpline was supposed to be confidential. | Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is a patron of the charity, whose website also displays a statement of support from Conservative leader David Cameron. Miss Widdecombe 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. | Lord Mandelson's Department for Business recommends the helpline to businesses. |