Newsmaker
Gordon Brown fights critics who call him a bully
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-23 08:54
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An anti-bullying charity called yesterday for an investigation into claims that Prime Minister Gordon Brown intimidated staff, bringing more unwelcome headlines just weeks before an election.
 Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks at a Global Investment Conference, at the Saatchi Gallery in west London, February 22, 2010. [Agencies] |
The row over Brown's behaviour overshadowed a poll recovery for Labour, which is seeking to maintain its 13-year hold on power in the face of a challenge from a revitalised Conservative party.
Brown has rejected as baseless and malicious allegations published in a UK Sunday newspaper that he had terrified staff by shouting abuse at them and in some cases had physically intimidated them. The claims came from extracts from a book by a political journalist.
The head of a National Bullying Helpline said Brown's office had a duty to investigate claims that members of his staff had suffered harassment.
Christine Pratt denied her organization, which she set up with her husband to help tackle bullying in the workplace, was politically motivated. Former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe is one of its patrons and its web page features an endorsement from Conservative leader David Cameron.
