We all watched Mandy brag on the theme of bullying

Ann Treneman & , : {}

To give Lord Mandelson credit, the fightback anti-bullying press discussion didnt go horribly wrong until the end. Oh, there were a couple of moments when he seemed a bit tetchy and defensive, but it began with one of his remarkably assembled put-downs.

I contingency say, he said, eyes flicking turn the room, I think this total event is starting to take a slight odour.

I sniffed but could acknowledge usually the gloomy aroma of coffee in Gallery 10 of the Saatchi Gallery in London, the host for yesterday mornings UK Trade and Investment Conference press conference, that had right away been hijacked by the bullying story. It was a surreal setting, dominated by a 4m-high (14ft) cut with a chisel of a child in Mumbai offered books. Mandy, hair greyer and fluffier than usual, was in a pet.

I insincere this was a charge in a teacup done by someone who longed for a little headlines for his book, he sniffed. It right away looks some-more similar to a domestic operation in a little ways destined at the Prime Minister personally.

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What was his evidence? Mandy had listened that Tory press officers had been running reporters towards Mrs Pratt (oh, the snarl in the approach he pronounced that name) of the National Bullying Hotline.

But what was his tangible evidence?

When I saw her being interviewed, he said, she referred to Mandelson in this rather derogatory way. You think, God, is this the head of a gift who is endangered about bullying or is she meddlesome in scoring points opposite the Government? The reporters done a gurgling noise, as if we were underneath water. Im only raising the question, protested Mandy. Im not asking you to come to conclusions.

Tom Bradby, of ITN, remarkable that the PM was being indicted of being a aroused overly suspicious bully. Not true, pronounced Mandy, though Gordon Brown did caring passionately.

Sometimes in frustration, you throw your writings down on the desk, remarkable Mandy, prior to rallying: Golly, if the Prime Minister wasnt undone about these things, frankly, I would have some-more to be concerned about.

But why, asked the man from the Metro newspaper, was No 10 so discerning to repudiate it all? Why hadnt it investigated first?

Investigation of what? asked Mandy. Metro man stammered: Of allegations of bullying.

Which allegations? demanded Mandy not once but thrice.

The room was still right away as we watched Mandy brag on the theme of bullying. Well, pronounced Metro man, the ones about the PM attack out at staff, pulling them out of chairs . . .

Do you call them allegations or do you call that an writer with a book to sell? snapped Mandy.

Metro man attempted to criticism but Mandy shot back: Do you unequivocally not think that we have got improved things to do than follow up each Rag, Tag and Bobtail play on words and smear?

Mandy paused prior to exploding. Weve got a nation to run!

The room was pin-drop quiet. Now I pronounced to you prior to that nobody bullies! Nobody tolerates bullying in this Government. Period. Zero. And thats it. OK?

Silence. But, similar to Vesuvius, Mandy could not stop. He was not going to follow each claim done by a journal or writer who longed for publicity. Nor could he follow after smears from each Tom, Dick and Harry.

I wondered if Tom, Dick and Harry knew Rag, Tag and Bobtail. And how was it that the immorality Tories managed to have them all fit in to a charge in a teacup?

Weve got improved things to do with the lives! Mandy cried prior to striding out.

Everyone only looked at each other. Scary or what?