GORDON BROWN is finally free to give whoever he chooses a piece of his mind whenever he likes. After weeks of frustration, the prime minister has been given a special mobile phone from which he can conduct the affairs of state from the moment he wakes up at 5.30am.

It is the first time a prime minister has been allowed to make mobile phone calls without first going through the Downing Street switchboard.

Traditionally, the prime minister’s switchboard calls allow civil servants and advisers to listen in to ensure that decisions made during the conversation are acted upon.

Ever since his personal mobile was “confiscated” when he took office last June, Brown has been dismayed by the cramping of his style. “He was very frustrated . . . he is someone who always wants to be in touch whatever the time of day or night and without having always to go through ‘switch’,” said an aide.

One Whitehall source bemoaned the move, saying: “I don’t like the idea at all. We managed to keep other PMs under control with ‘listen-speak’. It’s very Gordonesque that he wants to push the buttons himself.”

Tony Blair, the former prime minister, has been describing to colleagues the “novelty” of having his own mobile phone after 10 years without one.

Speaking at a Labour party fundraising dinner he said: “Look, I’ve got one of these now! I sent a text to someone the other day and they rang me back on my new mobile and asked, ‘Who are you?!’” Brown’s mobile, which only allows outgoing calls and texts, will have special security to stop hackers. Also, when cabinet meetings take place there will now be security specialists surveying for wi-fi hackers who might be trying to download presentations to ministers.

Downing Street’s switchboard has a legendary reputation, with a contacts system ranging from journalists to world leaders. Lord Triesman, former Labour party general secretary, recalled a time when “switch” called him to an urgent meeting with Tony Blair. He said he was too far away to make it, but the operator responded: "Nonsense, you're on the Holloway Road, you have time to get here."

But "switch" isn't infallible. During the 2005 election, Rory Bremner used the service to dupe government ministers into giving away secrets. Impersonating Brown (then chancellor), he fooled Margaret Beckett into talking about tension between Brown and Blair, and badmouthing cabinet colleagues.

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