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MPs urge whistleblower protection | |
(1 day later) | |
Civil servants should have clearer guidance on voicing concerns about the conduct of government, a report says. | Civil servants should have clearer guidance on voicing concerns about the conduct of government, a report says. |
A cross-party committee of MPs suggests leaks within Whitehall could be dealt with more effectively if whistleblowers were better able to raise their fears. | A cross-party committee of MPs suggests leaks within Whitehall could be dealt with more effectively if whistleblowers were better able to raise their fears. |
The Commons Public Administration Select Committee said leaks damage trust in government. | The Commons Public Administration Select Committee said leaks damage trust in government. |
Tony Wright MP said a "culture that encourages proper whistleblowing... is the best safeguard against leaking". | Tony Wright MP said a "culture that encourages proper whistleblowing... is the best safeguard against leaking". |
The committee suggested that more should be done to ensure potential whistleblowers know how to raise concerns and have the confidence to come forward. | The committee suggested that more should be done to ensure potential whistleblowers know how to raise concerns and have the confidence to come forward. |
The report has called for a route to be established, whereby evidence a minister had misled MPs or the public could be reported to Parliament, following a complaint by a civil servant. | The report has called for a route to be established, whereby evidence a minister had misled MPs or the public could be reported to Parliament, following a complaint by a civil servant. |
It also recommended leaking of information should only be a criminal matter where there was a breach of the Official Secrets Act, or evidence of serious criminal misconduct such as accepting payment. | |
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The committee's inquiry was launched in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Conservative front-bencher Damian Green and civil servant Chris Galley, who were arrested - but not charged - following a police investigation into leaks from the Home Office. | The committee's inquiry was launched in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Conservative front-bencher Damian Green and civil servant Chris Galley, who were arrested - but not charged - following a police investigation into leaks from the Home Office. |
Mr Wright, chairman of the Commons Public Administration Select Committee, said it was "fundamental to good government that civil servants keep the confidences they are entrusted with". | Mr Wright, chairman of the Commons Public Administration Select Committee, said it was "fundamental to good government that civil servants keep the confidences they are entrusted with". |
He added: "However, there is a tension between this basic duty and the public's legitimate interest in having access to information about how government works and ensuring government wrongdoing comes to light. | He added: "However, there is a tension between this basic duty and the public's legitimate interest in having access to information about how government works and ensuring government wrongdoing comes to light. |
"It is therefore essential that civil servants know what channels are available to them if they believe there is wrongdoing, or information is being suppressed. | |
"These channels must be timely, effective and, most importantly, not be seen as career-damaging. | "These channels must be timely, effective and, most importantly, not be seen as career-damaging. |
"A culture that encourages proper whistleblowing procedures is the best safeguard against leaking, and we believe the civil service has some way to go to achieve this." | "A culture that encourages proper whistleblowing procedures is the best safeguard against leaking, and we believe the civil service has some way to go to achieve this." |
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