Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline (NBH), has criticised the Charity Commission’s investigation into its operations, calling the regulator’s processes “far from fair, open and transparent”.

The Commission opened a statutory investigation into NBH in February following complaints that the charity had breached the confidentiality of its beneficiaries after Pratt claimed in television interviews that No.10 Downing Street staff had called the charity's helpline. Her revelation came after accusations in the press that Gordon Brown had bullied civil servants.

In a letter to NBH’s supporters this month seen by Civil Society, Pratt condemned the ongoing Charity Commission investigation, complaining that the regulator did not appear to be taking on positive messages of support about the charity:

“They go over old ground repeatedly,” wrote Pratt, “and probe deeper and deeper into seemingly irrelevant aspects of our day-to-day operations.

"Their processes (in our view) are far from fair, open and transparent. Nevertheless, we continue to respond and co-operate even though we have no idea who has complained, what has been said and what direction questioning will take. We have no idea how long the process will last or when/where it will end."

The letter also says NBH has appointed new trustees and a new firm of accountants and has received around 500 letters and emails of support, as well as a number of donations.

“We have received a few unsolicited donations,” wrote Pratt, “one from an anonymous well wisher incorporating the message ‘Well done for standing up to the bullies’….So, to those competitor charities who said we had committed professional suicide – I don’t think so!”
 
Pratt also said that NBH will be introducing a membership package, costing £5 a month.

Pratt refused to comment on the contents of the letter and the Charity Commission also declined to comment.