Working for a bully is a terrifying experience and totally demoralising. It makes going to work each day a nerve wracking ordeal and such allegations should fully investigated.
These allegations today point a finger at our Prime Minister. BBC’s Nick Robinson gives a well reasoned response on his blog about whether Gordon Brown is a bully or not, and is worth a read.
There have now been further revelations that "three or four" calls have been made to the National Bullying Helpline in recent years from staff in Gordon Brown’s office; this is very disturbing news, and paints a very unflattering picture of the man running our country.
The bullying allegations follows claims in the Observer that the head of the civil service Sir Gus O’Donnell was so concerned he had a word with Gordon Brown about his behaviour towards staff. A book by the newspaper’s chief political commentator Andrew Rawnsley includes details of incidents where it is alleged Mr Brown grabbed staff by the lapels, shoved them aside and shouted at them.
Downing Street has strenuously denied the allegations, saying they are "malicious" and totally without foundation. If that is so, the Prime Minister should consider taking legal action to clear his name, even if it gets in the way of preparing for the general election.
No doubt the character assassination against the prime minister will continue to escalate between now and the general election. I don’t like nasty politics, and believe that the facts of past performance should suffice to win over wavering voters.
I hope Tories don’t gloat too much about this – just remember, the tables could be turned against us again soon (as if Sir Nicholas Winterton wasn’t bad enough!) We should focus on the key message about change and how Conservatives can make a positive difference. The country is ready for change, but still needs convincing that David Cameron is the man to take forward that change. And that’s fair enough.
*I’ve just ordered a copy of Eamonn Butler’s new book, The Alternative Manifesto, which I know will be an intelligent read. Eamonn, who lives nearby in Cambridge, is Director of the Adam Smith Institute and describes the book as “a sort of workshop manual for fixing Britain, and it doesn’t flinch from getting the spanner round those nasty problems that the politicians of all sides don’t want to talk about.â€
I’m particularly interested in reading his views about politicians, as “nothing short of complete constitutional reform will fix that oneâ€. I firmly believe so too, and will tell you my opinions in due course – and they are far reaching.
Eamonn’s book can be ordered at Amazon on this link.
Hostile working environments can be absolutely miserable, and I hope there is a positive outcome to all of this, Ellee.
Hi Ellee, is Brown a bully ?
Well Mandelson said in the past that Brown was basically emotionally damaged goods !
Brown was to my mind very careful in the wording of his denial , he stated that hed ” never hit any one in his life ” not really what hes accused of was it .
To my mind it doesnt really matter if he chucks his newspaper about or indeed if he has a temper ( we all do that at times !)
What matters is what effect does he have on those who have to work with him ( as opposed to fellow MPs who could always tell him what they think of his shouting )
If they still had huge respect and admired him as a politician and Prime Minister that would be one thing .
However if they are frightened by him and actually grown to dislike or dispise him that is an entirely different situation.
In those circumstances the poison would be there simmering away .
This is in fact what I suspect is the case and now with Browns demise so close they are having their final revenge .
I bet Brown wont take legal action to clear his name !!
No I don’t think Robinson does give a good account, bullying is not in the eye of the beholder (and John Humphrys being asked if he’d ever felt bullied by the PM was a crass and stupid comment). I think throwing things is not appropriate behaviour. If the man can’t control himself then how can he hope to control anything else? I think the issue of adult bullying, especially in the workplace, is a good one and I hear that Cameron has called for an enquiry.
You’re right, Winterton was a disaster. But is he voicing what other politicians are thinking? However important the issues are I’m sure that events will play a part. And the groundswell of disgust with politicians might be best served by putting a ‘None of the above’ option on the voting slip.
Hear, hear for “none of the above” option!
You say character assasination – if he is a bully, then shouldn’t it be exposed? Brown has been going on about “character” over the last week as an integral part of his manifesto. You cannot have it both ways.
I, for one, will not vote for a bully.
I think we should be looking at the Blair years too – my guess TB’s ego let rip at staff too!
That’s very disturbing news about Mr. Brown, if true. I agree with you that he should either deny it, take legal action or resign and get help.
Once you figure out the answer for politicians on that sign of the pond, hop a flight and get to work in America eh?
Something to think about. Most bosses are hated, they are not their to be liked. They are there to do a job and often get disliked by their staff and accused of over authoritative behaviour.
I am not speaking in favour or otherwise about our PM, but just the general nature of how things work in practice.
I was surprised at Ms Pratt’s revelations about the call to the anti-bullying line, and understand Anne Widdecombe’s (among others’) resignation. I’m sure Ms Pratt feels strongly about the issue, but if you work with vulnerable people, a golden rule is not to reveal the alleged abuse to the alleged abuser.
Do all take a look at todays Dizzy Thinks blog page and the youtube sequence.
Theres a wonderful take on this story from the Chinese , even down to full animation of the supposed events !
Gordon could I suppose go into Kung Foo fighting when hes chucked out !
I can’t help wondering how much of this is muck raking prior to the election. But perhaps I’m just too cynical.
A very balanced piece on a subject that has been treated with hysteria I thought Elle.