Latest news with #whistleblowing
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Shropshire Council sees increase in whistleblowing reports
There has been an increase in the number of whistleblowing reports made to Shropshire Council, a committee meeting has 2024-25, the authority received 28 reports compared with 23 the previous year. Whistleblowing provides a process for concerns to be raised in relation to work such as fraud, adult or child protection, or harassment and bullying majority of the reports in 2024-25 were received by email, with the most common theme being staffing. No cases were referred to an external third party. Other themes included council tax, non-domestic rates, safeguarding, tenancy fraud, theft or fraud, and planning or building these reports, 10 resulted in management action, with seven having "no case to answer", while 10 are ongoing and one has been listed as "not-applicable".Speaking at Shropshire Council's audit committee, Councillor Malcolm Myles-Hook asked what was going to change to bring the numbers down next year, and if members had learned the outcome of director James Walton said the council did not report what the management actions were, and they could be from "very minor to quite major"."There is an argument of whether more whistleblowing is good or not," he told the committee."It's about accessibility. If lots of people blow the whistle and no action is taken as a result of it, then there's something wrong. All we can do is report what it is."What we don't want going out is 'if you blow the whistle in some way, you're going to be identified'." Councillor Duncan Kerr, who was chairing the meeting, said that members needed to have some information about what the outcome was, "otherwise what's the point in having a policy?"He also asked if there could be an investigation into whether a call handling company could be used to handle reports over the phone, and if there could be some clarification to staff about what the policy was. That was approved by Councillor Kerr confirmed that in 2024-25, there were no whistleblowing reports related to the North West Relief Road. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sacked Bath hospital surgeon loses unfair dismissal claim
A surgeon from Bath has lost an employment tribunal after claiming he was unfairly dismissed for whistleblowing about patient safety concerns. The tribunal panel found Seryth Colbert, a consultant in oral and maxillofacial surgery, was sacked from the Royal United Hospital in Bath due to his behaviour, not the content of his surgeon argued he had been subjected to detriment for exercising his rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA).The Bristol Employment Tribunal panel dismissed his claim and concluded his behaviour with some colleagues was unacceptable, with judgement issued on 30 May. Mr Colbert is planning to appeal against the decision. The surgeon claimed his dismissal in October 2023 was due to retaliatory victimisation, leading to the tribunal. This came after he raised concerns, which included allegations that cancer patients were not being treated and that a patient had been blinded during surgery. In October 2023, a disciplinary panel upheld 11 out of 14 allegations against Mr Colbert, leading to his included: bullying and aggressive behaviour, unwanted physical contact, undermining management, inappropriate use of trust processes and rude and dismissive employment tribunal panel found: "Some of this conduct is more serious than others. An isolated rude email is clearly insufficient to warrant summary dismissal. "Low level unwanted physical contact might also be regarded as somewhat innocuous." Plans for appeal The panel added: "Similarly, the fact that the claimant raised issues brought to him by junior doctors with someone other than the clinical lead in the department, may seem a long way from repudiatory conduct."However, once the context, intention and impact are considered, the conduct, taken collectively, does, we conclude, amount to repudiatory breach. "The claimant acted in a way which was coercive to junior colleagues, undermined a senior colleague and was intimidating."Although, there is no doubt at all, that his treatment of other colleagues was exemplary, beneficial and inspiring, that does not detract from our findings."
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Former presenter takes legal action against GB News for unfair dismissal
A former GB News presenter is taking legal action against the broadcaster after he was taken off air last year. Albie Amankona, who co-hosted GB News's debate programme The Saturday Five, told the Guardian he intended to sue GB News for unfair dismissal and a number of other claims. It comes after Amankona, co-founder of Conservatives Against Racism for Equality, was taken off air after saying on air that he believed the former home secretary Suella Braverman to be a 'racist' in July 2024. GB News issued a swift apology to Braverman, stating that the comments 'crossed a line between robust debate and causing unnecessary offence', noting that Braverman was 'understandably upset'. Amankona said his claims against GB News include for race discrimination, belief discrimination, victimisation, whistleblowing detriment, unequal pay and unfair dismissal. The broadcaster denies the claims. After initially self-funding the legal action, Amankona is now launching a public crowdfunding campaign with the Good Law Project on Monday. He added that he had made a verbal complaint with a senior manager about what he believed to be racist behaviour by two colleagues in June 2024. He believes no immediate investigative action was taken. GB News denies any racist behaviour occurred. 'The only way that I might be able to change the situation is if I stand up for myself and say it is wrong, and use the channels available to me to make my case,' he said. A source at GB News said Amankona was given notice, along with a number of other contributors, two days before his on-air remarks about Braverman. They added: 'Mr Amankona's claim is misconceived, without merit and being robustly defended. As the claim is ongoing we do not propose to comment further.' The sourcesaid GB News maintained that its apology to Braverman was appropriate, particularly in light of Louise Casey's recent report on group-based child sexual abuse and the government's subsequent decision to call a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs. GB News has drawn criticism and praise for its approach to news broadcasting since its launch in June 2021. It has frequently fallen foul of Ofcom, the broadcast regulator, and has been in breach of its rules 12 times. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion But in March Ofcom dropped 11 investigations or rulings into the breaching of impartiality rules relating to incidents in which politicians read out news items, with most of the cases relating to GB News. The cases were dropped after GB News successfully challenged two Ofcom rulings relating to the former Conservative cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg over reading updates about news stories. The chief executive of GB News, Angelos Frangopoulos, said Ofcom's decision to withdraw more cases was 'another vindication of GB News editorial decision-making'. Amankona said he had been drawn to the broadcaster's 'fresh approach' on its launch, and its commitment to free speech. 'I really felt like I was part of something new, something fresh, exciting, and something being done in a different way. I am a very passionate believer in free speech and more opinions being foregrounded,' he said. The 31-year-old began appearing on GB News in July 2021 and started co-hosting The Saturday Five from March 2023 until his last appearance in August 2024. He said that he had believed strongly in the GB News project, and had been left feeling dismayed by the nature of his departure from the broadcaster. 'I'm actually very sad about the situation. I was obviously very sad when it happened, and I'm more sad that we've got to a point where I am pursuing legal action against GB News,' he said.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Police Association president criticises leaking info related to Jevon McSkimming investigation
Police Association president Chris Cahill Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The Police Association President has criticised the leaking of information in relation to the ongoing inquiries into the former deputy commissioner of police. Jevon McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop last month amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. A High Court judge earlier reserved her decision on whether the media should be allowed to report the nature of the allegedly objectionable material found. Police Association president Chris Cahill addressed leaking in his latest column in the Police News magazine. Cahill wrote that raising concerns about "serious wrongdoing" in the workplace was safeguarded under the Protected Disclosures Act. "This recognises the importance of good faith disclosures about wrongdoing, and encourages transparency, accountability and prevention of corruption." However, leaking details of an ongoing investigation was not whistleblowing, he said. "Over the nine years I have been in my role, I have watched a steady escalation in the number of leaks to media and the accompanying erosion they have caused to police's reputation. "The latest high-profile leak has me literally shaking my head. "Ignoring the media frenzy it has created, we must ask what it says about the professionalism of those in police. What protection can victims, witnesses and even suspects expect when such inappropriate disclosures come with all manner of innuendo and potentially pseudo allegations?" Cahill said that during his decades in police he had been involved in many "sensitive investigations". "I know the damage leaked material could have caused. I would have had no qualms about investigating the breach itself, and I expect this to happen in this current case. "Underlying this situation that is saturating the news, we must still abide by the right to natural justice, irrespective of whether we sympathise or empathise with an alleged offender or not." He said there was also a trend of leaking information on internal employment investigations. "This is not whistleblowing. It is the practice of the selfish saboteur, often driven by personal gain at the expense of others. "I know of bullying allegations being made to settle grievances and then leaked to media, who lap up the reports irrespective of their credibility." He acknowledged some people who leaked may have had a "legitimate grievance". "But laundering it through the media is no more acceptable than the behaviour behind the grievance itself. "These scenarios reflect poorly on the professionalism of both the media and police institutions. "Police criminal investigations - whether internal or external - should be kept as tight as a drum to protect the rights of victims, witnesses and the accused. "All Kiwis have a right to expect that this standard is preserved. Within Police, it is at the heart of its professional, integrity and empathy values." Former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images In response to questions from RNZ, Cahill confirmed his column was spurred by the investigation into McSkimming which he said was "just an example of a wider issue of leaking". "The leaking of active investigation information paints police in a very unprofessional light. Victims, witnesses and suspects all have the right to expect their statements etc will be treated with privacy and only made public as is appropriate during the justice process. "When it comes to suspects, the very idea of innocent until proven guilty and the access to a fair trial are cornerstones of the justice system. The leaking of information can undermine this." He said if no offending was identified by an investigation, the damage to an individual's reputation could be permanent, "especially in today's world of the social media and online content sharing". "When an investigation is still in progress, I do not believe the public interest overrides the need for these privacy protections." Asked if he had expressed his concerns to police, Cahill declined to comment. In the same edition of Police News it was announced that Cahill would not be seeking re-election to his role. "I believe it is positive for an organisation to have change in leadership and while nine years has gone very quickly, it is time for someone else to bring their style and energy to the role. "I am comfortable the association is in a strong position with a positive leadership team at both board and operational levels to support the new president and continue to build on the legacy of past members." He intended to take a break before deciding on what was next for him after October, but added "I will not be looking at national politics". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Silence on bullying at universities ‘like Post Office scandal', says Cambridge chancellor hopeful
The culture of silence on bullying at universities is like the Post Office scandal, a candidate in the running to be the next Cambridge University chancellor has claimed. Prof Wyn Evans, one of 10 hopefuls who could become Cambridge University's next figurehead, said academics were routinely made to feel as if their allegations about bullying and harassment were isolated cases. In an interview with The Telegraph, the astrophysics professor at Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy claimed he was subject to 'prolonged retaliation' after he tried to blow the whistle over mistreatment of a colleague. Prof Evans raised concerns with the university in July 2021 that a female member of staff in his department in the 'throes of extreme mental distress' was being bullied by a more senior employee, adding that he was worried about her welfare as a result. Cambridge University appointed an independent barrister to investigate the claims, but also tasked them with probing separate allegations made about Prof Evans's own behaviour. It took more than a year and a half before the investigation was completed. The barrister concluded that Prof Evans's intervention met the legal threshold for whistleblowing, but that the behaviour reported by him did not constitute bullying. The lawyer dismissed the personal allegations made against Prof Evans and said the claimant provided no evidence to substantiate them. Prof Evans told The Telegraph that the drawn-out process had an enormous impact on his mental health, and that at his lowest ebb during the investigation, he had thoughts of ending his own life. 'Not even a droplet of compassion' 'My problems all started when I intervened on [my colleague's] behalf. I contacted a prominent figure in the university for help in dealing with the victim… No help was offered. There was not even a droplet of compassion for the victim,' he said. 'As is very common in whistleblowing cases, there was then prolonged retaliation against me. The retaliation caused significant disruption to my work and my mental health. I went on sick leave. Sleep was an elusive luxury [and] I was plagued with recurrent nightmares.' The astrophysics professor has promised to introduce an ombudsman at Cambridge University to investigate 'serious abuses or mismanagement' if elected chancellor. The scientist, whose research is around the formation of the Milky Way, launched a blog about his ordeal in 2023 calling for other academics to come forward with their own experiences. The 21 Group, named after the percentage of Cambridge University employees who reported being subjected to bullying or harassment in an internal staff survey, has seen almost 300 academics from around the world share their stories about bullying and harassment to date. Prof Evans described their revelations as similar to the Post Office scandal, in which victims were repeatedly told they were the only ones struggling with the company's faulty Horizon software despite more than 900 of them later being wrongly prosecuted for theft. 'If you remember in the sub-postmaster scandal, the Post Office was telling each individual sub-postmaster that, you know, 'it's just you were having problems with Horizon'. And it was only when they got together and they found that it was actually very common and almost ubiquitous, and the Post Office had been telling untruths,' he said. 'So it's something similar to that, that by helping all these people come together, we're much more powerful at fighting back against the universities. The knowledge that what has happened to you has happened to many other people is powerful because you realise that it isn't an individual personal experience.' The 21 Group has seen more than 8,000 visitors to its website in the past week alone, according to Prof Evans, with most academics active on the platform claiming to be from research-intensive universities across the UK. Some allege they have been stripped of research funding as part of power struggles with more senior colleagues. Free speech 'There are many young researchers who find their grants blocked because of sort of academic jealousy or of the feeling of being threatened. I think that's actually very common,' said Prof Evans. He claimed the issue was at the heart of broader free speech problems at universities, with institutions failing to properly address bullying and harassment allegations for fear of reputational damage. In his independent report into Prof Evans's whistleblowing claims, the external barrister appointed by Cambridge University said he regretted the length of time that the investigation took and 'the effect this will undoubtedly have had on all those involved'. The barrister also raised concerns that several staff members pulled out of providing testimony over fears they would face retaliation. Prof Evans, a don at the university for more than 20 years, claimed it was 'all quite unlike the Cambridge University as it really could be'. 'The magnificent role the university could play in encouraging greater empathy, diversity, kindness and inclusion as well as public interest in scholarship and learning, is undermined by its poor culture,' he said. 'Culture is set by the people at the top. This is one of things I would change as chancellor.' Cambridge University said it strongly refuted Prof Evans's claims. The astrophysics professor will run against rival candidates including Sandi Toksvig, the comedian and ex-presenter of the Great British Bake Off, and Gina Miller, the anti-Brexit campaigner, in the race to become the next Cambridge chancellor. The successful candidate will replace Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who was elected to the role in 2011 and stepped down last year. He had succeeded Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who held the position for 35 years. Voting is set to take place both online and in-person for the first time next month, with a winner set to be announced in the week beginning July 21, 2025. A spokesperson for Cambridge University said: 'We strongly dispute claims made in this version of events but cannot comment further on ongoing cases. The university takes allegations of bullying and harassment extremely seriously.'
