PM staff 'called bullying helpline'

The head of an anti-bullying charity has hit out at Gordon Brown after revealing several Downing Street staff have called its helpline. Christine Pratt said she had "seen red" after ministers rallied round to deny claims in a new book that the Prime Minister had been warned over his treatment of staff. Lord Mandelson said the Prime Minister was emotional, demanding and impatient but not a bully after a new book detailed a string of alleged outbursts. But Mrs Pratt, who founded the National Bullying Helpline after being a workplace victim herself, accused them of failing staff by "going into denial". "I have personally taken a call from staff in the Prime Minister's office, staff who believe they are working in a bullying culture and that it has caused them some stress. We would have hoped Gordon Brown would lead by example. If an employer receives complaints they should investigate," she said. "I am not saying Gordon Brown is a bully, I am not a judge. But I am appalled at the outright denial that is going on without due process being followed." Mrs Pratt said there had been "three or four" contacts with the helpline from Downing Street staff in recent years - although others were received before Mr Brown took charge. The book, by Observer political commentator Andrew Rawnsley, details a string of alleged incidents of verbal and physical outbursts by Mr Brown. Mrs Pratt said: "I saw the Lord Mandelson statement that had a categorical denial that bullying was going on in Gordon Brown's office. I saw red." She said she could not give details of the allegations - such as whether Mr Brown himself was being accused of being part of the problem.(He does yell and bully the staff....they have said before that he does.......and the look on that"one eyed scottish asshole"says it all