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Patron quits over 'bullying' row Patron quits over 'bullying' row
(about 2 hours 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 said she did not disclose confidential details or name anyone.Mrs Pratt said she did not disclose confidential details or name anyone.
"I am sad that Professor Cary Cooper is resigning and will address it when I get back to the office," she said."I am sad that Professor Cary Cooper is resigning and will address it when I get back to the office," she said.
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.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 confidentiality Nick Robinson's blogTHE 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 Nick Robinson's blog
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."
Former minister Geoffrey Robinson called on her to step down.Former minister Geoffrey Robinson called on her to step down.
Mrs Pratt, who first called the BBC unprompted on Sunday, has denied her actions were politically motivated and the Conservatives say Labour are simply trying to "smear the messenger".Mrs Pratt, who first called the BBC unprompted on Sunday, has denied her actions were politically motivated and the Conservatives say Labour are simply trying to "smear the messenger".
She has made clear none of the callers accused Mr Brown of bullying and said he may not even have known about the claims.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.
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
"[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.
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
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.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'
"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 a claim civil service head Sir Gus O'Donnell had warned Mr Brown about his behaviour. Lord Mandelson had described Mr Brown as "demanding of people" 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. A spokesman for Mr Brown said Sir Gus has since said he has never spoken the PM about "bullying or [an] intimidatory" manner and an inquiry was not necessary.
There had been a "very low" number of complaints within the Cabinet Office over recent years, and "no complaints against the prime minister in the whole of his term," the spokesman added.
Mrs Pratt defended the operation of her helpline in the face of an accusation 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 an accusation that she had used it as a means of "angling for business" for a human resources consultancy run by her husband.
This claim surfaced in an e-mail sent from a helpline user in 2008 to Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who admitted to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she did not know whether it was true.This claim surfaced in an e-mail sent from a helpline user in 2008 to Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who admitted to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she did not know whether it was true.
Mrs Pratt acknowledged the charity 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".Mrs Pratt acknowledged the charity 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.
Ms Snelgrove, Mr Brown's parliamentary private secretary, had helped Mrs Pratt launch the helpline but said she severed links with her because she refused to attend a private meeting about the complaint - something Mrs Pratt denies.Ms Snelgrove, Mr Brown's parliamentary private secretary, had helped Mrs Pratt launch the helpline but said she severed links with her because she refused to attend a private meeting about the complaint - something Mrs Pratt denies.
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.