Sir Gus ODonnell: I did tell Gordon Brown to be nice to officials

By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent Published: 10:00PM GMT twenty-four February 2010

Sir Gus O"Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary Photo: DAVID ROSE

Sir Gus ODonnell pronounced he had told the Prime Minister that he indispensable to be certain and understanding towards his officials.

He done the acknowledgment as Mr Brown faced uninformed questions over his diagnosis of colleagues after Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, indicted No 10 aides undermining him and unleasing the "forces of hell" opposite him.

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Mr Brown is underneath vigour over his control in the arise of claims done in a book by Andrew Rawnsley, a domestic commentator.

Mr Rawnsley reported that Sir Gus had since the Prime Minister "a pep talk" about his family with officials among regard in No 10 that Mr Browns indignant outbursts had left most staff "bruised" and demoralised.

Questioned by MPs, Sir Gus denied notice the Prime Minister about his behaviour. But certified he had speedy Mr Brown to be certain and understanding to polite servants.

"I didnt speak to him about behaviour. I talked to him about how to get the most appropriate out of his staff," he said. "I pronounced to the Prime Minister You unequivocally get the most appropriate out of your staff when you honour them for unequivocally great pieces of work"."

He said: "I have a point when I plead with him of observant It is unequivocally critical that you show your await to the Civil Service."

Sir Gus refused to contend if he had discussed the make a difference with Mr Rawnsley.

The Daily suggested that Jeremy Heywood, the comparison polite menial in Mr Browns office, had cooking with Mr Rawnsley in September.

Downing Street reliable the meeting, but insisted that Mr Heywood had not discussed Mr Browns behaviour.

The book additionally reported that dual aides to Mr Brown, Charlie Whelan and Damian McBride, attempted to criticise Mr Darling in 2008 after he likely the UK faced the misfortune mercantile downturn for 60 years.

Mr Darling himself permitted that inform on Monday night, accusing Downing Street of "unleashing the forces of hell" opposite him and confirming he believed Mr Whelan and Mr McBride planted journal stories suggesting he was to be sacked.

Both Mr Whelan and Mr McBride have denied lecture opposite Mr Darling.

Sir Gus refused to contend if he had ever perceived complaints about the poise of Mr Whelan and Mr McBride, saying: "Im not going to get in to particular complaints."

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor hold a in isolation assembly to "clear the air" yesterday morning, and in a show of unity, Mr Darling was at Mr Browns side in the Commons during Prime Ministers Questions.

In the Commons, David Cameron, the Tory leader, regularly challenged Mr Brown over either he certified his aides to short opposite the Chancellor.

Mr Brown said: "I never educated a lecture opposite the Chancellor".

Amid Tory shouts of derision, he added: "The Chancellor has been right on each issue of mercantile process over the last dual years."

Despite the protestations of harmony, Government sources pronounced Mr Brown and Darling sojourn deeply widely separated about mercantile and domestic strategy.

The simmering row focuses on preparations for the Budget subsequent month and Labours ubiquitous choosing campaign.

The Treasury is secretly assured that sum borrowing for the year will be less than the �178 billion it has forecast, mostly since stagnation is reduce than feared.

Officials pronounced that could give ministers "a couple of billion pounds" to allot in the Budget.

Mr Brown has signalled any additional income could go to open spending, widening the contrariety with the Conservatives plan for early cuts.

But Mr Darling is accepted to hold that Labour should be straightforward with electorate about the need to cut spending eventually. He wants any additional income to be used on shortening the Governments deficit.