Our first newsletter of 2022 is now out – and features details of our new training courses, a look back at key whistleblowing cases of 2021, an Advice Line case study and details of a webinar on 24 February we are co-hosting with law firm Leigh Day, ‘Tackling Anti-Corruption – is whistleblowing the first defence?’ … Read more
Alex Allen
Backbench debate on the rise of ‘SLAPP lawsuits’ – a threat to freedom of expression
A backbench debate heard that SLAPP lawsuits - Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation – are having a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Defamation claims are most identified as SLAPPS and used to silence a critic, such as a journalist, by engaging them in costly litigation, rather than because of any legal merit. Other legal ... Read more
Protect and Leigh Day to host anti-corruption panel debate
Anti-Corruption Government Tsar, John Penrose MP will join Protect and Leigh Day in panel debate 'Tackling Corruption - Is whistleblowing the first line of defence?' on Thursday 24 February. International corruption and whistleblowing lawyer, Paul Dowling, a partner at Leigh Day will join the debate to discuss legal claims used to hold organisations to account. ... Read more
Poor practice at the practice?
Michael worked at a dental practice and called us because he had some concerns about the practice. He was worried about the safety of the building and that staff were not ensuring instruments were suitably clean and sterile before use with patients. Managers had failed to take these concerns seriously when Michael spoke to ... Read more
Former Protect CE’s launch specialised whistleblowing law firm
Protect has welcomed a new specialist law firm James & West Law – The Whistleblowing Experts, established by two former Protect Chief Executives Cathy James and Francesca West. Francesca and Cathy have been working with whistleblowers and specialising in whistleblowing law since 2005. Both worked at Protect, for 14 years each, both having a tenure ... Read more
Protect statement on Guardian story ‘Staff blow whistle on Environment Agency that ‘no longer deters polluters’
Head of Policy at Protect, Andrew Pepper-Parsons said: “The report in today’s Guardian, 'Staff blow whistle on Environment Agency that 'no longer deters polluters' that Environment Agency cuts have left staff unable to do their jobs, and warned against speaking to the media by Environment Agency Chief Executive James Bevan, if accurate, is extremely concerning ... Read more
Protect welcomes moral pledge by Higher Education Minister to end NDAs in universities
Victims of sexual harassment in universities should no longer be silenced by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), under a new pledge backed by the government, universities and campaigners. Six university vice-chancellors invited to attend the launch have signed up to a pledge promising not to use NDAs in dealing with complaints of sexual misconduct, bullying, and other … Read more
Our newsletter is out!
Our last newsletter of 2021 is out…. If you weren’t able to join us for our EU Whistleblowing Directive webinar, ‘Why it matters to us in the UK’ you can view the webinar here and read our article, ‘Implementing the EU Directive on Whistleblowing: Lessons learned from UK whistleblowing legislation PIDA’. Read why we are concerned about Government … Read more
Charity worker raises furlough fraud concerns
Thomas has worked for a charity providing services for young people for six years. He called with concerns that the charity had committed furlough fraud- he was asked to agree to backdate documentation stating that he had been on furlough during a period when, in fact, he had been working. Thomas raised this issue with his manager who dismissed his concerns, refusing ... Read more
Government Anti-Corruption Strategy acknowledges ‘failure to review whistleblowing framework due to pandemic’
The Government’s third update of its progress to the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2017-2022 has been published, and acknowledges a failure to review the whistleblowing framework is ‘due to resources being prioritised for the pandemic response.’ Launched in December 2017 the Strategy aims to support national security, prosperity and trust in institutions. It sets out a longer-term vision of anti-corruption action leading to: reduced threats to ... Read more