Whistleblowing Blog | Protect - Speak up stop harm

Speaking up, listening up. The need to change UK whistleblowing law.

25th May 202130th April 2021 by Alex Allen

This article is a summary of the speech delivered at 'Let's Fix Whistleblowing' launch event on 29th April 2021. To see highlights from the launch click here Today we are surrounded by the most tragic and catastrophic example of the failure to listen to a whistleblower, Dr Li Wenliang, when he said he was concerned ... Read more

Protect campaign ‘Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law’ – webinar highlights

30th April 202129th April 2021 by Alex Allen

Protect’s campaign launched Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law’ with a panel debate chaired by Barrister Mukhtair Singh, and NHS whistleblower Dr Chris Day, Dame Margaret Hodge MP, Kevin Hollinrake MP, and attended by more than 100 delegates. Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law’, calls on the Government to urgently amend whistleblowing legislation, the Public Interest Disclosure ... Read more

Protect launch campaign ‘Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law’ with MP panel debate: April 29

23rd April 202120th April 2021 by Alex Allen

Protect will be renewing its campaign to update the Public Interest Disclosure Act, kicking off its ‘Let's Fix UK Whistleblowing Law’ campaign with an MP debate discussing the importance of whistleblowing from Wuhan to Westminster. Protect Chief Executive, Liz Gardiner, said “We need to fix the UK whistleblowing law which is 23 years-old, and out ... Read more

National Guardian urges NHS leaders to play their part as survey finds just 51% feel supported to speak up

30th March 2021 by Alex Allen

The National Guardian’s Office leads, trains and supports a network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians providing learning and striving for cultural change on speaking up matters in NHS Trusts in England. The role of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians (FTSUGS) and the National Guardian, Dr Henrietta Hughes, were established in 2016 following serious failures ... Read more

EY drops appeal in Dubai whistleblowing case

29th March 2021 by Alex Allen

Protect has welcomed the decision by professional services firm EY to drop its appeal in the case brought against the firm by whistleblower and former EY partner, Amjad Rihan. The case concerned allegations that EY had covered up the adverse findings of a sustainability audit into the Dubai Gold trade, including evidence of money laundering and ... Read more

Where does whistleblowing fit in the Ministerial Code?

24th March 2021 by Alex Allen

The employment case between Home Secretary Priti Patel and former senior civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam may have concluded with a settlement agreement – but the case has thrown up many questions around whistleblowing culture within Government and reform of the Ministerial Code. The case has been reported to have been settled for £340,000 plus … Read more

Covid-19 one year on: Protect remembers lives lost and thanks whistleblowers for speaking up to stop harm

22nd March 202122nd March 2021 by Alex Allen

Protect will be taking part in the national day of refection and one minute’s silence on March 23 at midday to reflect on the lives lost in the pandemic one year on – and to also thank the many whistleblowers who spoke out on Covid-19 concerns. Chief Executive Liz Gardiner said, “We will join the ... Read more

Teacher speaks up over student safeguarding concerns

20th July 202322nd March 2021 by Alex Allen

Niamh (not her real name) was a teacher in a special needs school and had safeguarding concerns surrounding the behaviour of one of the other teachers at the school. Niamh witnessed a teacher showing her colleagues a sexually explicit image of one of the students. The same teacher also spoke inappropriately about her own sex ... Read more

Food factory worker raises concerns over lack of COVID-19 safety measures

31st March 202122nd March 2021 by Alex Allen

Katie (not her real name) was a manager in a food manufacturing factory. She had a number of health and safety practice concerns around COVID-19. While Katie’s employer had some safety measures in place, she was concerned that the factory had not been effectively cleaned and decontaminated, and several employees had tested positive for COVID-19 ... Read more

Accountant speaks up over construction company’s financial malpractice

31st March 202122nd March 2021 by Alex Allen

Robert (not his real name) was an accountant at a construction company. He was concerned that his employer was committing fraud. In particular, Robert believed his employer was processing personal transactions with company finances, creating fake employees on payroll records, and falsifying company invoices. Robert raised these concerns with his manager. Unfortunately, his manager dismissed ... Read more