February 22, 2010
Oh dear, it really has gone pear-shaped for the National Bullying Helpline and its founder Christine Pratt. After going on national TV to claim that Downing Street staff had contacted the helpline, Pratt has now found herself in the middle of what Guru colloquially calls a "sh*t storm".
One of the charities patrons, rent-a-quote psychologist Cary Cooper, has quit because of Pratt's breach of confidentiality. Another patron - Tory battleaxe Ann Widdecombe also criticised the decision to go public.
Some have now questioned her motives: the National Bullying Helpline website shows a supportive statement from David Cameron, as well as listing the fearsome Widdecombe as a patron. And her offices are next door to the branch of the Swindon Tories. Guru is sure this is all a coincidence.
One of the charities patrons, rent-a-quote psychologist Cary Cooper, has quit because of Pratt's breach of confidentiality. Another patron - Tory battleaxe Ann Widdecombe also criticised the decision to go public.
Some have now questioned her motives: the National Bullying Helpline website shows a supportive statement from David Cameron, as well as listing the fearsome Widdecombe as a patron. And her offices are next door to the branch of the Swindon Tories. Guru is sure this is all a coincidence.
Other patrons listed include TV presenter Sarah Cawood and pop star Mz
Bratt. Yours Truly has no idea who they are, but how long before they
quit in disgust at the way this has been handled?
Pratt is at pains to point out she is "not suggesting Gordon Brown is a bully" but simply "had to speak out" after Number 10 denied the allegations of bullying made in a new book. What's really happened is she clearly saw the opportunity for some free PR by getting in touch with the BBC and claiming that staff who worked with the PM had "concerns".
And now it's backfired spectacularly.
Another charity, Bullying UK, said it was complaining about the helpline to the Charity Commission, having received emails from people who thought it was responsible, and called for her to resign.
Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who helped Pratt launch the helpline, had said she severed links with her after receiving complaints about the way it referred calls to the consultancy run by her and her husband. And now David Cameron and Nick Clegg have called for an inquiry into the allegations.
What an absolute mess. The irony now is because of the huge media uproar, Pratt herself must be feeling pretty bullied. Maybe sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the better option.
UPDATE: All the charity's patrons have now resigned. And the BBC is reporting that the Charity Commission has received 60 complaints about the National Bullying Helpline following this debacle, as well as earlier complaints.
Pratt is at pains to point out she is "not suggesting Gordon Brown is a bully" but simply "had to speak out" after Number 10 denied the allegations of bullying made in a new book. What's really happened is she clearly saw the opportunity for some free PR by getting in touch with the BBC and claiming that staff who worked with the PM had "concerns".
And now it's backfired spectacularly.
Another charity, Bullying UK, said it was complaining about the helpline to the Charity Commission, having received emails from people who thought it was responsible, and called for her to resign.
Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, who helped Pratt launch the helpline, had said she severed links with her after receiving complaints about the way it referred calls to the consultancy run by her and her husband. And now David Cameron and Nick Clegg have called for an inquiry into the allegations.
What an absolute mess. The irony now is because of the huge media uproar, Pratt herself must be feeling pretty bullied. Maybe sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the better option.
UPDATE: All the charity's patrons have now resigned. And the BBC is reporting that the Charity Commission has received 60 complaints about the National Bullying Helpline following this debacle, as well as earlier complaints.
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Comments (2)
Words fail me
Posted by More here | February 23, 2010 1:21 AM
Posted on February 23, 2010 01:21
Guru you are correct except for one matter, she will indeed claim she is being bullied but this is her own pertard.
For real insight into what is going on read the chapter on unmasking a bully in Tim Fields book Bully insight. Read her statements with a wiser eye. Just saying
Posted by Trinity | February 26, 2010 5:49 PM
Posted on February 26, 2010 17:49