'It's a breach of confidentiality'

A row over Christine Pratt's claim that staff in Gordon Brown's office contacted the National Bullying Helpline intensified last night after she was criticised by the charity's lead patron and other anti-bullying organisations. Pratt has claimed that Downing Street staff had called the confidential helpline "three or four times" in recent years and downloaded information. The charity's patron, Ann Widdecombe MP, below, said she had not spoken to Pratt, but that her comments could have "serious" consequences. "My instincts are that I wish she hadn't [made the comments] … helplines should always be confidential," she said. "It's quite serious." According to the charity, calls are "confidential" and "will be treated with dignity and respect". Anne Snelgrove MP, Brown's parliamentary aide, last night defended the prime minister and suggested Pratt's revelations were politically motivated. She said Pratt should have first contacted Downing Street. Another group, BullyingUK, said: "We think it's a serious breach of confidentiality for an anti-bullying charity to reveal details where people could potentially be identified."