NEWS
Protect is disappointed that the Government’s new legislative program fails to address the weaknesses in whistleblowing protection with the absence of an Employment Bill. The UK has fallen behind international best practice and it is time to “level up” legal protections for whistleblowers. However, we welcome the introduction of the second Economic Crime Bill as … Read more
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 latest newsletter features news and blogs and details of our training including a free to attend webinar on the EU. Many UK organisations still wishing to adopt the latest best practice in whistleblowing, or indeed firms operational across Europe, will be ensuring they are compliant with EU Whistleblowing Directive provisions – due to be … Read more
Protect welcomes the findings of the Serota Review into editorial processes at the BBC which recognises the vital role whistleblowing plays in an organisation’s governance. ‘The Serota Review – BBC editorial processes, governance, and culture’ commissioned by the BBC to learn from mistakes from the past, follows the Dyson report into the scandal around the Martin Bashir Panorama interview with Princess Diana. … Read more
Our October newsletter includes blogs, why we are engaging with the Government on NDAs, why we think the Official Secrets Act needs reform to include a public interest defence and why we will be debating this with legal experts and academics next month and more….
Mary Robinson MP, Chair for the APPG on Whistleblowing, called on the Prime Minister to review the UK whistleblowing law during PMQ. She said, “The failings of Greater Manchester police, which have led to it being placed in special measures, are well documented, including the failure to record 80,000 crimes, including domestic violence and sexual offences, … Read more
On 2 November, Protect’s Head of Policy Andrew Pepper-Parsons, along with Kaeten Mistry Historian, University of East Anglia, and Anna Myers, Executive Director, Whistleblowing International Network, will be hosting a workshop on Civil Society, National Security, and Breaking Down Barriers for Public Interest Disclosures bringing together other legal professionals, journalists and academics with a keen interest … Read more
Protect hosted the first of two employer roundtables discussing what more can be done to protect whistleblowers against victimisation. A mixed group of employers from financial services, media, health, public sector and charity sectors came together to share best practice. The group discussed what victimisation ‘looks like’ with common forms of victimisation including impossible shift … Read more
Protect has been highly awarded by the Law Society Excellence in Law Awards 2021. The Awards, for ‘excellence in upholding the rule of law’ during the pandemic where our Advisers saw an unprecedented rise in calls – 20% – and were able to quickly move to remote working to support whistleblowers. Our report ‘The Best … Read more
Our latest newsletter has been published and includes our latest activity on our campaign, Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law, blogs, whistleblower feedback, and details of how to book a place on our next Masterclass on 7 October Masterclass: Handling sexual harassment & whistleblowing concerns in the workplace aimed at senior individuals including HR, Compliance, Legal … Read more
Authorities in Monaco have issued a summons demanding whistleblower Jonathan Taylor appear before investigating judge Ludovic Leclerc, at the Palais de Justice, in Monaco, on 11 October “for examination”. Oil industry whistleblower Jonathan Taylor – who blew the whistle on bribery by his former employers, SBM Offshore – returned to the UK in July after being arrested and … Read more
Ms L Kong who was Head of Financial Audit, made a number of protected whistleblowing disclosures over a new investment product her employer Gulf International Bank was offering to investors. She was concerned about the regulatory compliance of the investment product, which she detailed in a draft audit report sent to the Head of Legal at her company. Her concerns (which the Bank accepted constituted protected disclosures) … Read more
Protect Chief Executive Liz Gardiner welcomed almost 100 delegates to the third in our series of webinars to promote campaign Let’s Fix UK Whistleblowing Law which had the focus on duties and standards for employers. The panel: Rav Passi, whistleblower and Protect Trustee Marina Glasgow, Deputy Chief Conciliator, ACAS Sam Bereket, National Lead Intelligence & … Read more