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Patron quits over 'bullying' row Patron quits over 'bullying' row
(30 minutes later)
A patron of an anti-bullying charity has resigned, saying its founder breached confidentiality by claiming Downing Street staff used its helpline.A patron of an anti-bullying charity has resigned, saying its founder breached confidentiality by claiming Downing Street staff used its helpline.
Prof Cary Cooper, an expert on workplace stress, said on Monday he had quit the National Bullying Helpline.Prof Cary Cooper, an expert on workplace stress, said on Monday he had quit the National Bullying Helpline.
Its head, Christine Pratt, had told the BBC of its dealings with No 10 staff after Business Secretary Lord Mandelson denied Gordon Brown bullied people.Its head, Christine Pratt, had told the BBC of its dealings with No 10 staff after Business Secretary Lord Mandelson denied Gordon Brown bullied people.
It came amid reports the civil service head warned the PM about his behaviour. It was "wholly inappropriate" to name No 10 in this way, Prof Cooper said.
Prof Cooper said he had informed Ms Pratt of his decision by email. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has described Mrs Pratt's claims as "very serious" and said they need to be "cleared up by No 10".
"One of the things that is really important for any helpline or any counselling service is to retain confidentiality of the people calling up," he said. But Prof Cooper told the BBC he was "really upset".
Ms Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline, has also been criticised by another charity, Bullying UK, which said it was "horrified" she had "all but identified" one caller in media interviews. "[As] a helpline or counselling service you never, ever reveal anything to do with when a client calls you in any way," he said.
We are not naming names and we are not disclosing confidential data Christine Pratt
Prof Cooper said it could leave open the danger that the employer could find out who the caller was.
He said he had informed Mrs Pratt of his decision by email.
Mrs Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline, has also been criticised by another charity, Bullying UK, which said it was "horrified" she had "all but identified" one caller in media interviews.
"It's hard to imagine a more serious breach of confidentiality," it said on its website."It's hard to imagine a more serious breach of confidentiality," it said on its website.
It said it was complaining about the helpline to the Charity Commission, having received emails from people who thought Bullying UK was responsible, and called on Mrs Pratt to consider her position.It said it was complaining about the helpline to the Charity Commission, having received emails from people who thought Bullying UK was responsible, and called on Mrs Pratt to consider her position.
Mrs Pratt, who made clear she was not accusing Mr Brown of being a bully and said he may not even have known about the claims, has defended her decision to speak publicly about the calls.
"We are not naming names and we are not disclosing confidential data," she insisted.
But she added: "I am concerned at the denials that have come out of No 10 and I would have hoped that No 10 would have addressed matters internally and appropriately and called in mediators."
Lord Mandelson had described the PM as "demanding of people" and himself but insisted he "doesn't bully people" in response to claims civil service head Sir Gus O'Donnell had warned Mr Brown about his behaviour.
That has since been denied by the Cabinet Office.