MORE CHAOTIC SCENES INSIDE NUMBER TEN AS NBH PULLS RUG FROM UNDER BROWN, MANDELSON

DARLING QUICK TO JUMP IN AND PRESS BUDGET CASE

Labour’s electoral hopes were dealt a massive blow this afternoon as, within hours of his 7th comeback, bullying claims against Gordon Brown were given support from a most unlikely source.

Within hours of The Slog casting huge doubt over the defence of the Prime Minister’s character by Lord Mandelson and The Independent this morning, head of the National Bullying Helpline Christine Pratt told the BBC that she had received several complaints about Gordon Brown over the years.

In what is a bombshell for Number Ten (the press room is still frantically plotting a response as I write) Ms Pratt said of Mandelson’s ‘defence’:

“Outright denial is just non-credible in today’s age. Over recent months we have had several inquiries from staff within Gordon Brown’s office. Some have downloaded information; some have actually called our helpline directly and I have spoken to staff in his office.”

In what cynics are seeing as a related move, by mid-evening Chancellor Alistair Darling had moved swiftly to reignite his bitter row with the PM about what he privately calls ‘credible’ measures to deal with the UK’s massive deficit. Our Treasury source told The Slog earlier this evening:

“That makes another jump forward by Alistair. Last weekend they were rowing, in the week it was hearts and flowers. Now he’s bidding for independence again. At least the markets will respond positively – if they can keep up”.

TenMole, meanwhile, has gone underground for the time being.