The National Bullying Helpline has attacked its patrons on its website following their decision to resign following the Gordon Brown bullying row.

Christine Pratt, chief executive of NBH, has faced fierce criticism for her decision to reveal that civil service employees phoned the helpline with concerns about PM Gordon Brown.

In response, all of its patrons including Tory MP Ann Widdecome have resigned, complaining that Pratt has breached caller confidentiality.

In a statement on its website the NBH complained that all its patrons had “resigned at a time when it needed them most” and were never dedicated to the charity anyway.

“It is a shame that not one of them ever visited our charity offices to see how we operate or met with our volunteers and trustees, despite requests.”

The statement also said that NBH has temporarily suspended its helpline because “competitor anti-bullying charities, individuals with an axe to grind and a few others have forced our hand”.

Earlier this week, fellow anti-abuse charity Bullying UK complained it was being mistaken for NBH and getting complaints about the confidentiality breach.

According to the statement Pratt is prepared to resign if necessary, but it warned that “this will necessitate the appointment of a paid CEO which is a luxury we have not been able to afford in the past. We have very limited funds.”

Patrons Widdecombe, Professor Cary Cooper,  TV presenter Sarah Cawood and Tory councillor for Hillingdon Mary O'Connor have all severed ties with the charity since the story broke on the weekend.

Widdecombe (pictured) said that it was crucial for the helpline to respect callers’ anonymity.

“It’s like a priest in the confessional. You don't do it. I wish she hadn't done it,” said Widdecombe. “It's very easy to imagine Downing Street now looking at the computer to see who is on the website.”

Further, a fourth named patron on the charity's website, singer Mz Bratt, says she had never officially taken up the role.

A spokesman said: "Mz Bratt was never confirmed as an official patron for the Charity in question. We had some initial discussions with Christine [Pratt], but have never confirmed Mz Bratt as a patron of this charity and were surprised to see her name on the charity's website as a patron."

Meanwhile, according to press reports, Pratt is now under the wing of PR guru Max Clifford who is advising her how to proceed.