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Patron quits over 'bullying' row Patron quits over 'bullying' row
(20 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.
Mrs Pratt says she did not disclose confidential details or name anyone.Mrs Pratt says she did not disclose confidential details or name anyone.
The Charity Commission says it received a number of complaints over the weekend concerning the National Bullying Helpline and that it would be contacting the organisation for further information.
Mr Brown made no reference to claims of bullying at No 10 when making a speech on enterprise to a global investment conference in London.Mr Brown made no reference to claims of bullying at No 10 when making a speech on enterprise to a global investment conference in London.
THE STORY SO FAR Extracts from a new book by Observer chief political commentator Andrew Rawnsley, being serialised in the newspaper, claim Downing Street staff were intimidated by abusive outbursts from Gordon BrownNo 10 says it has looked into the allegations and they are not trueLord Mandelson also dismisses the claims, saying the book shows a man "who gets angry but chiefly with himself, who doesn't bully people"Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline, says several people in the prime minister's office had contacted the anti-bullying charity in recent yearsShe later clarifies that none of the allegations was about Mr BrownProf Cary Cooper, an expert on workplace stress, resigns as a patron of the charity, saying Mrs Pratt had breached confidentialityTHE STORY SO FAR Extracts from a new book by Observer chief political commentator Andrew Rawnsley, being serialised in the newspaper, claim Downing Street staff were intimidated by abusive outbursts from Gordon BrownNo 10 says it has looked into the allegations and they are not trueLord Mandelson also dismisses the claims, saying the book shows a man "who gets angry but chiefly with himself, who doesn't bully people"Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline, says several people in the prime minister's office had contacted the anti-bullying charity in recent yearsShe later clarifies that none of the allegations was about Mr BrownProf Cary Cooper, an expert on workplace stress, resigns as a patron of the charity, saying Mrs Pratt had breached confidentiality
However, Conservative leader David Cameron described the allegations, which originated in Sunday newspaper reports, as "serious matters".However, Conservative leader David Cameron described the allegations, which originated in Sunday newspaper reports, as "serious matters".
"I'm sure that No 10 Downing Street and the civil service... will want to have some sort of inquiry," he said."I'm sure that No 10 Downing Street and the civil service... will want to have some sort of inquiry," he said.
Meanwhile, 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".Meanwhile, 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".
Lord Mandelson said a "political operation" was being directed at the prime minister and suggested Conservative press officers had been "guiding journalists towards Mrs Pratt, assuming that she had some fuel to throw on this fire."Lord Mandelson said a "political operation" was being directed at the prime minister and suggested Conservative press officers had been "guiding journalists towards Mrs Pratt, assuming that she had some fuel to throw on this fire."
Mrs Pratt, who has made clear none of the callers accused Mr Brown of bullying and said he may not even have known about the claims, has denied her actions were politically motivated. Mrs Pratt, who first called the BBC unprompted on Sunday, has denied her actions were politically motivated.
She has made clear none of the callers accused Mr Brown of bullying and said he may not even have known about the claims.
But Prof Cooper told the BBC he was "really upset" and that it was "wholly inappropriate" to publicly name any employer in case it left the caller open to identification.But Prof Cooper told the BBC he was "really upset" and that it was "wholly inappropriate" to publicly name any employer in case it left the caller open to identification.
"[As] a helpline or counselling service you never, ever reveal anything to do with when a client calls you in any way," he said."[As] a helpline or counselling service you never, ever reveal anything to do with when a client calls you in any way," he said.
He said he had informed Mrs Pratt of his decision by e-mail.He said he had informed Mrs Pratt of his decision by e-mail.
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. Mrs Pratt 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 e-mails 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 e-mails from people who thought Bullying UK was responsible, and called on Mrs Pratt to consider her position.
Mrs Pratt has defended her decision to speak publicly about the calls.Mrs Pratt has defended her decision to speak publicly about the calls.
'Thoroughly vetted''Thoroughly vetted'
"We are not naming names and we are not disclosing confidential data," she insisted."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."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. Lord Mandelson had described the PM as "demanding of people" and himself but insisted he "doesn't bully people" in response to a claim civil service head Sir Gus O'Donnell had warned Mr Brown about his behaviour.
That has since been denied by the Cabinet Office.That has since been denied by the Cabinet Office.
Mrs Pratt defended the operation of her helpline in the face of accusations that she had used it as a means of "angling for business" for a human resources consultancy run by her husband.Mrs Pratt defended the operation of her helpline in the face of accusations that she had used it as a means of "angling for business" for a human resources consultancy run by her husband.
She acknowledged they did offer to refer callers to the consultancy, but insisted the arrangement was "done under an agreement that has been approved by the Law Society".She acknowledged they did offer to refer callers to the consultancy, but insisted the arrangement was "done under an agreement that has been approved by the Law Society".
"It has been thoroughly vetted," she added."It has been thoroughly vetted," she added.
Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who helped Mrs Pratt launch the helpline, had said she severed links with her after receiving complaints in 2008 about the way it referred calls to the consultancy.Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who helped Mrs Pratt launch the helpline, had said she severed links with her after receiving complaints in 2008 about the way it referred calls to the consultancy.
Mrs Pratt also fended off accusations of political bias after she confirmed she had received support from some Conservatives.Mrs Pratt also fended off accusations of political bias after she confirmed she had received support from some Conservatives.
"Yes. I have been in touch with them, they have been in contact with us but we are not a political charity, I'm not politically motivated," she said."Yes. I have been in touch with them, they have been in contact with us but we are not a political charity, I'm not politically motivated," she said.
Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is a patron of the charity, but has aired concern over Mrs Pratt's actions.Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is a patron of the charity, but has aired concern over Mrs Pratt's actions.
"The helpline is supposed to be confidential and while no details were revealed I do not think it is a good idea," she said on Sunday."The helpline is supposed to be confidential and while no details were revealed I do not think it is a good idea," she said on Sunday.