'Basher' Prescott's department bullies its staff

A parliamentary committee investigating the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), John Prescott MP, has found a catalogue of discrimination against black and disabled staff.

It would appear that the ODPM does not quarrel seriously with the committee's findings as the linked report says (but does not name) "the department's top civil servant acknowledged that the bullying and intimidation was of real concern". The committee said:

"The department should take steps immediately to reinforce the message that bullying and intimidation is unacceptable. "It should ensure that all staff are confident, such reports will be taken seriously."

The committee also criticised the failure of Mr Prescott himself to appear before the committee:

"We believe that the most senior minister in a department should make himself available to a parliamentary select committee when his presence is sought."

Quite!

Sort it out, Prescott! Oh, and our beloved PM Tony Blair should take urgent steps to see he does!

(Not that I am overly hopeful - this government has a track record of getting back at people it sees as a threat or who have embarrassed it.)