Brown's staff 'rang bully helpline'

Pressure is mounting for an investigation into Gordon Brown's treatment of staff after an anti-bullying charity boss said its helpline had received several calls from within Downing Street.

Christine Pratt said she went public with the information after ministers rallied round to deny suggestions in a new book - strongly disputed by Number 10 - that the Prime Minister had been warned over his behaviour.

Lord Mandelson said the Prime Minister could be emotional and demanding but was not a bully, following the claims that a string of verbal and physical outbursts had led to the intervention of the Cabinet Secretary.

But Mrs Pratt, founder of the National Bullying Helpline, accused ministers of failing staff by "going into denial".

"We would have hoped Gordon Brown would lead by example. If an employer receives complaints they should investigate," she said, saying "three or four" calls had been received including one in recent months. 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," 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."

The book, by Observer political commentator Andrew Rawnsley, includes accounts of Mr Brown pulling a secretary from her chair, "roughly shoving" an aide and four-letter-word rants which frightened staff.

In extracts published on Sunday, Mr Rawnsley said Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell was so concerned he delivered a "verbal warning" to the PM - a claim the Cabinet Office said was "completely untrue".

Mr Rawnsley insisted he was "100% sure" - based on first-hand evidence - that Sir Gus had looked into Mr Brown's behaviour and personally warned him to calm down.

Downing Street denied the "malicious" allegations and Lord Mandelson said: "I don't think he so much bullies people as he is very demanding of people. There is a degree of impatience about the man but what would you like, some sort of shrinking violet at the helm of the Government when we are going through such stormy waters?"