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Brown accused of bullying three years ago

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 22 February 2010

Gordon Brown faced official questions about bullying as early as May 2007, before he became prime minister, a political blogger has found.

Gordon Brown (Credit: Getty)

This is not the first time the prime minister has been accused of bullying.

Claims about Gordon Brown's temper have appeared in many diary columns, allegations consistently denied by Labour and Mr Brown.

On Saturday, the prime minister told Channel 4 News "I have never hit anybody in my life".

But formal inquiries have also been made in the House of Commons.

Political blogger Dizzy Thinks has trawled though Hansard to find accusations of Mr Brown's bullying appeared as early as May 2007, when Brown was still chancellor of the exchequer.

"Fewer than five grievances have been raise and investigated," said the official answer at the time.

In February 2008 Conservative MP, Mark Hoban, inquired about Mr Brown's bullying - after he had moved to Number 10.

This time the answer was not as detailed: "It is standard Government practice not to publish records relating to five or less individuals."

Channel 4 News contacted the Tory MP to enquire why he had asked this question.

Mr Hoban admits his query was speculative: "I did not have any inside track on bullying. Nothing that had not already been mention in newspapers already."

Bullying in the Civil Service
Civil servants who work at Westminster have to follow a set process if they are bullied.

The Cabinet Office sent us this link on bullying and harassment. This would be the first port of call for any bullied staff working at Downing Street.

The Civil Service follows the code of practice set out by ACAS - the Advisory, Conciliatory and Arbitration Service.

Bullying, according to ACAS, may be characterised as: "offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient."

Harassment and bullying can occur in many ways including "ridiculing or demeaning someone", "unfair treatment" and "exclusion or victimisation".

Bullied staff have a number of options if they want to make an official complaint. ACAS recommends talking to a  union or staff representative. Another option is to call one of the bullying helplines.

The Civil Service also has advice for managers on bullyingACAS states that managers should deal with complaints individually and that "reference to grievance procedures both formal and informal" should be kept. 

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