Is Christine Pratt a bully?

And what is the definition of bullying?

By James Macintyre Published 22 February 2010 18:39

Thanks to Paul Waugh, I have just caught up with the musings of one Christine Pratt of the National Bullying Helpline and her extraordinary interview with the excellent Gary Gibbon of Channel 4 News, who had to point out to Pratt that there is now no such thing as the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, from where she claims to have received complaints in the past 18 months.

This woman, who must beyond any doubt be forced to resign, is clearly a crank and a flake, and not just because of her numerous ties to the Conservative Party. Who in their right mind would now call the helpline, knowing that at any time this strange woman might pop up on the airwaves to discuss that call? Her determination to "stand up" the Observer's allegations at the cost of the confidentiality of those who approach her organisation could at best be called publicity-seeking, and at worst be called politically motivated bullying.

But also, we need to define bullying here. I have long written about Gordon Brown's "dark side", and of how he and his key ally Ed Balls can bully colleagues, in the sense of undermining them to their own gain.

But in the sense of bullying as those outside the Westminster village know it -- in the playground and in the workplace -- is Brown really a bully? Does he take pleasure out of inflicting pain on people in his office? Does he relentlessly target "Garden Girls" in No 10 with cruel insults? Does he sneak up on staffers and flick their ears?

This is turning into a very dangerous row indeed, and the only certain outcome -- as with the MPs' expenses scandal -- is an unprecedentedly low turnout among a truly sickened electorate.

By the way, for an interesting take on this, and a warning to David Cameron against getting involved, see Peter Hitchens's blog today.

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Tags: Gordon Brown

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27 comments

Mon, 2010-02-22 20:15 — Tony Knott (not verified)

If I were Brown I would sue Rawmsley and the crass politically disintegrating Observer for Libel now that the whole edifice of this smear on Brown is coming to light. Just so happens the Tory opinion poll lead is, only tonight, beginning to crumble. Is there any connection? We should be told.
PS Good on old Annie Widdicombe.

Mon, 2010-02-22 20:47 — Zach (not verified)

Maybe this was satire and I missed the point of your article entirely.
This being the case I can only apologize sincerely for my lack of understanding.
If this is not the case, and you seriously think that work place bullying is about "cruel insults" and "flicking ears" then you have a totally different understanding to me of the issues involved and the very serious consequences they have on the quality of life for the victim.
Perhaps you may like to investigate the consequences of dehumanizing a person, (regardless of the environment), and reflect on that before submitting your next article.

Mon, 2010-02-22 20:47 — Lizzie (not verified)

I met Ms Pratt on a number of occasions when she was investigating a bullying allegation. Not only were her methods and approach wholly unacceptable - she changed statements, threatened witnesses when they refused to sign- but she was aggressive and bullying in the extreme. She made racist comments and behaved apallingly.

Whatever the truth about the Brown issues, this woman does a disservice to the serious issue of workplace bullying and I am glad she had been exposed

Mon, 2010-02-22 21:04 — Katie (not verified)

Lizzie, refreshing and accurate!!
Mrs PRATT recently investigated a relative of mine in a similar fashion. The things she did and the way she went about it were SO SHOCKING that I am amazed it has taken her this long to publicly hummiliate herself!
Someone should write an article on what she's done to other peoples lives, if they don't I will.

Mon, 2010-02-22 21:44 — M Brunt (not verified)

I find this hijacking of an issue as serious as bullying by politically motivated jackals extremely distasteful. Of course issues of bullying need to be investigated - wherever they occur, but this scraping of the political barrel with misleading information and a totally unprofessional stooge is a new low. I was unsure how to vote in the next election, and to a certain extent I remain so. I do know with absolute certainty however that a party that would stoop to such a level to score political points is not worthy of my vote. Take note Mr Cameron.

Mon, 2010-02-22 21:45 — Angela (not verified)

I heard some of Pratt's diatribe this morning and found them quite outlandish and bizarre. The irony of all this is that I had a sneaking suspicion that Dave the Posh Yob or his team may have had something to do with the story which now turns out to be true.

Mon, 2010-02-22 21:53 — beak

Brilliant! "Dave the posh yob" Good to see you are still resorting to good old class war! Grow up!

Mon, 2010-02-22 23:01 — Jane (not verified)

I complained about the actions of Mrs Pratt and her National Bullying Helpline in writing to her MP Ann Snelgrove in 2008 after she converted my call to the help line to a business lead for her company - she sent dummy letters I was to fill out, contracts to sign etc. I asked for an immediate investigation - Ann resigned but I understand that the Charity Commission asked her what was happening and took what she said at face value - time for a proper investigation. The only good thing to come out of this as it has exposed this operation to the scrutiny it deserves.

Tue, 2010-02-23 00:04 — NS (not verified)

This lady's true colours have now been exposed. I though she was bizarre this morning and found her breach of confidentility incredible. Now that her past pedigree has been exposed, it is easy to see why she might make false assertions. Seems the Charity Comm will soon withdraw her charity's ill-gotten status, and that Mr Cameron's press group will scurry away as quickly as they arrived.

Tue, 2010-02-23 01:25 — Richard (not verified)

I have been on the receiving end of this woman. Rude and crude but most of all incompetent in the extreme. Ban her for life.

Tue, 2010-02-23 08:06 — jason (not verified)

“The prime minister, 58, has hurled pens and even a stapler at aides, according to one; he says he once saw the leader of Britain’s 61 million people shove a laser printer off a desk in a rage. Another aide was warned to watch out for “flying Nokias” when he joined Brown’s team

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aNGVoeniv9HU&refer=home

Far easier for Mandelson and Brown to go after Pratt than for them to go after Bloomberg News.

Pratt is a publicity hound but she isn’t the issue unless the media starts poking holes in bloomberg news credibility.

When Bloomberg ran this story last year I couldn’t believe it wasn’t a bigger story and yet the media is once again focusing on a scapegoat in pratt instead of the real issue.

Tue, 2010-02-23 20:09 — Blast from the past..... (not verified)

She worked as a temporary Personnel Manager for the civil service once (agency of the ODPM in Gloucshire) in 2001.

She was unsure as to her facts then as well and I understand that she forgot she didn't have a CIPD qualification!

She had several staff raise grievances about her bullying attitude and behaviour,and when she was eventually dismissed-her whole department was extatic with joy..

She is not fit in my opinion to run a charity let alone a bullying one and the CIPD may wish to make a quick check on her fellow status as her memory might not have improved.

She's the Geffrey Archer of HR if you ask me ....

Tue, 2010-02-23 20:16 — Greg3

"Dave the Posh Yob" just a statement of fact?

In which case Angela, I state as fact that Gordon Brown is a nutcase whose moral compass is permanently stuck on 'immoral', probably because he smashed it in a rage on his secretary's head. Due to the 'fact' he's a bully!

Tue, 2010-02-23 20:39 — Greg3

May 6th 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr152QOkKGY&feature=player_embedded

Tue, 2010-02-23 21:31 — Tim (not verified)

Pratt, used her helpline to solicit business for the HR consultancy she runs with her husband.
Pratt doesn't understand the meaning of the word confidential.
Ann Widdecombe, has quit as a patron in disgust with Pratt.
Previously in her career Pratt has been found to have sent notes considered "discourteous and hostile" and "aggressive, accusatory and confrontational". She had also screamed in a colleague's ear.
This woman should resign NOW as she is the real bully.

Tue, 2010-02-23 22:26 — Richard (not verified)

Blast from the past.....
23 February 2010 at 19:09

I concur. I was bitten by this awful woman and never recovered. Incompetent in the extreme. This woman should be banned for life and hung out to dry! Sorry but she is a man hater and perhaps woman hater!

Wed, 2010-02-24 06:17 — Dan (not verified)

How could anyone with as many skeletons in the closet as Christine Pratt be so stupid as to go on national TV to criticise the Prime Minister, let alone using confidential information?!
Personally I'm delighted that her charity scam is finally getting the scrutiny it deserves, but seeing her and reading the NBH website (see the bizarre section on Cyberbullying on the Law page), I genuinely wonder if she might have some serious psychological problem.

Wed, 2010-02-24 16:49 — Blast from the past..... (not verified)

Not many people are aware that this woman used to work for the very Govt that is now finally tackling her

She was employed at the Fire Service College in 2002 and was dismissed after several complaints of...yes..you guessed it ..bullying and that she had lied about her qualifications

After she left she still bullied staff trying to get them to help her in her case againt BAE

What a pratt!!!

Thu, 2010-02-25 08:36 — Bill Cawley (not verified)

I don't know Mrs Pratt. However I am aware that the Government has form in discrediting anyone who criticises it or is awkward such as the campaigners on behalf of Paddington rail crash or the elderly caonstituent of Iain Duncan Smith who was accused of racism.

I agree with a previous contributor. Whether its a Tory smear or a Labour smear. the ordinary voter is entitled to say a plague on both your houses

Fri, 2010-02-26 13:10 — This is all anyone needs (not verified)

For a sober, incisive and damning expose on Christine Pratt and her husband's activities, simply go to this blog, which goes into very close detail and predates the current relevations by a good SIX MONTHS:

http://thebullyinghelpline.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html

Anyone suspecting a 'tory plot' or any journalist worth his or her salt should be poring over this stuff right now.

Sat, 2010-09-25 00:12 — micheal (not verified)

after recent close dealings with this obviously neurotic angry and incompetent fool of a woman i can only hope to god i never see or hear from her again. Avoid at all costs !

Tue, 2010-02-23 11:12 — Angela (not verified)

Beak, you burk! There is no class war here just a statement of fact. I am neither a fan of Cameron or Brown.

Mon, 2010-02-22 19:20 — Graeme Lyall (not verified)

I agree, Pratt has zero credibility.

Mon, 2010-02-22 19:39 — beak

The Labour smear machine is in full operation I see!

Mon, 2010-02-22 19:53 — Peter Hayes (not verified)

Christine is a lovely lady,having her as a neighbour in the nineties was a pleasure her and David are a lovely couple,I can not believe the smear campaign against them they do a great job.