Trevor Phillips yesterday defended his leadership of the equalities watchdog before a parliamentary committee.

The chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has faced increasing criticism in recent months, with a succession of commissioners resigning from the body and questions over its financial arrangements.

Challenged by former commissioners about claims of a 'culture of intimidation', Phillips said: "I think that all of these people are experienced people who frankly were not, in my recollection, that shy in putting forward their views."

Phillips added that he found criticism of his leadership painful but primarily [objected to it] because it distracted from the important work carried out by the body.

His remarks came after strong criticism from five 'dissident' commissioners who launched an attack on his leadership style.

Phillips was joined in giving evidence to the committee by EHRC commissioners Jeannie Drake and Kay Carberry, who both defended his record.

Carberry said the impression of a "cowed bunch of individuals who were unable to express a view" was "partly demeaning" to a "group of independent and strong-minded people".

"I never felt personally intimidated. I never felt I couldn't articulate what I wanted to," said Drake.

At a hearing of the committee last month, Professor Francesca Klug, a human rights academic, who resigned as a commissioner in July, told MPs that there was a "atmosphere of intimidation" in holding Mr Phillips to account.

Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat MP and a member of the committee, also read a submission from former commissioner Baroness Campbell who also resigned. She said: "Later on, towards the end of my time at the EHRC, I can honestly say that quite a number of commissioners felt intimidated by the divisive culture that was allowed to fester."