1. The Sunday Times 28/02/10
Brown on course to win election
‘Today’s poll suggests recent claims about
Brown’s tantrums and his intimidation of
staff may have actually helped him.
Just 28% of people believe the prime minister
is a bully and 50% agree he has a strong
sense of right and wrong.’
2. Golden PR Rules
• 1. You must be clear on the facts; changing
your story will damage your credibility.
• 2. Use the facts to your advantage.
• 3. If you breach confidentiality, you must be
prepared for the reputational consequences.
3. Sources
• The Times – National Broadsheet
• BBC Blog Nick Robinson – political Blogger
online
• Channel 4 News -TV
4. The Times 22 Feb 2010
Christine Pratt... ‘with her husband, David... believed
that there was insufficient hep available for people
who were bullied at work... the helpline is run by 12
volunteers none of whom draws a salary...the charity
receives no government funding’.
Brown: ‘frightened staff’ and ‘bruised staff’
‘Downing street’s damage limitation strategy
‘Roughly shoved aside’
‘Crashed his fists into the back of the passenger seat’
7. Interview Channel 4 Monday
Gary Gibbon 22/02/10
I: So you have personally taken calls of concern from one or
more people – how many?
P: It’s Three of four.
I: That you have personally taken?
P: No I have taken at least one.
I: At least one? You would know if you had personally taken
one or more wouldn’t you?
P: I have taken one. And i know of another email.... We’ve
had three of four inquiries from either PM’s office or
deputy prime ministers office over the last 18 months.
I : There hasn’t been a deputy prime minister for 18 months
9. Citizen Journalism
• 4. At 6:23pm on 22 Feb 2010, Tony Geo wrote:
• There has been NO deputy prime minister
since 27th June 2007. And before then, of
course, it was John Prescott. There has been
no "deputy prime minister's office" since May
2006...
• Surprised you haven't spotted any of that
Nick.
10. Comment on BBC Blog – Nick
Robinson
110. At 9:44pm on 22 Feb 2010, paulnlondon wrote:
Tell me Nick, which part of [Sir Gus O Donnal’s]
statement leaves open the possibility that he did talk
to Gordon Brown about his behaviour towards his
staff?
Or are you just trying to deflect the fact that this whole
story has been largely made up and promoted by some
for their own end?
11. Golden rule number 3
• If you breach confidentiality, you must be
prepared for the reputational consequences.
• Pratt had no one to support her reputation.
