Sir Gus O’Donnell said he had told the Prime Minister that he needed to be positive and supportive towards his officials. He made the admission as Mr Brown faced fresh questions over his treatment of colleagues after Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, accused No 10 aides undermining him and unleasing the "forces of hell" against him. Mr Brown is under pressure over his conduct in the wake of claims made in a book by Andrew Rawnsley, a political commentator. Mr Rawnsley reported that Sir Gus had given the Prime Minister “a pep talk” about his relations with officials amid concern in No 10 that Mr Brown’s angry outbursts had left many staff “bruised” and demoralised. Questioned by MPs, Sir Gus denied warning the Prime Minister about his behaviour. But admitted he had encouraged Mr Brown to be positive and supportive to civil servants. “I didn’t talk to him about behaviour. I talked to him about how to get the best out of his staff,” he said. “I said to the Prime Minister ‘You really get the best out of your staff when you congratulate them for really good pieces of work'.” He said: “I make a point when I discuss with him of saying ‘It is really important that you show your support to the Civil Service’.” Sir Gus refused to say if he had discussed the matter with Mr Rawnsley. Downing Street confirmed the meeting, but insisted that Mr Heywood had not discussed Mr Brown’s behaviour. The book also reported that two aides to Mr Brown, Charlie Whelan and Damian McBride, tried to undermine Mr Darling in 2008 after he predicted the UK faced the worst economic downturn for 60 years. Mr Darling himself endorsed that report on Monday night, accusing Downing Street of “unleashing the forces of hell” against him and confirming he believed Mr Whelan and Mr McBride planted newspaper stories suggesting he was to be sacked. Both Mr Whelan and Mr McBride have denied briefing against Mr Darling. Sir Gus refused to say if he had ever received complaints about the behaviour of Mr Whelan and Mr McBride, saying: “I’m not going to get into individual complaints.” The Prime Minister and the Chancellor held a private meeting to “clear the air” yesterday morning, and in a show of unity, Mr Darling was at Mr Brown’s side in the Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions. In the Commons, David Cameron, the Tory leader, repeatedly challenged Mr Brown over whether he authorised his aides to brief against the Chancellor. Mr Brown said: “I never instructed a briefing against the Chancellor”. Amid Tory shouts of derision, he added: “The Chancellor has been right on every issue of economic policy over the last two years.” Despite the protestations of harmony, Government sources said Mr Brown and Darling remain deeply divided about economic and political strategy. The simmering row focuses on preparations for the Budget next month and Labour’s general election campaign. The Treasury is privately confident that total borrowing for the year will be less than the £178 billion it has forecast, largely because unemployment is lower than feared. Officials said that could give ministers “a few billion pounds” to assign in the Budget. Mr Brown has signalled any extra cash could go to public spending, widening the contrast with the Conservatives’ plan for early cuts. But Mr Darling is understood to believe that Labour should be frank with voters about the need to cut spending eventually. He wants any extra money to be used on reducing the Government’s deficit.Sir Gus O'Donnell:
I did tell Gordon Brown to be nice to officials
The head of the civil service has admitted discussing with Gordon Brown how he should treat his staff.
Rawnsley Proved Right
Iain Dale 11:40 PM
Gus O'Donnell has admitted talking to Brown about the way he treats his staff. The Telegraph has the full story HERE.
Hats off to Gus O'Donnell for being a 24 carat Cabinet Secretary.
Game, set and match to Andrew Rawnsley, I'd say.
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