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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Transport police chief denies suspending whistleblowers | Transport police chief denies suspending whistleblowers |
| (about 18 hours later) | |
| The chief constable of British Transport Police has denied suspending staff for whistleblowing over concerns about data handling. | |
| Paul Crowther told MPs he took allegations of incompetence "very seriously". | Paul Crowther told MPs he took allegations of incompetence "very seriously". |
| Three police staff based in Cardiff had told BBC Wales the safety of police and public had been put at risk. | |
| Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the MPs were "not pleased" to hear of the suspensions. | Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the MPs were "not pleased" to hear of the suspensions. |
| He had called Mr Crowther to give evidence at the House of Commons following the revelations. | He had called Mr Crowther to give evidence at the House of Commons following the revelations. |
| One of the whistleblowers who spoke to BBC Wales was a retired detective chief inspector with 30 years experience. | One of the whistleblowers who spoke to BBC Wales was a retired detective chief inspector with 30 years experience. |
| Jon Williams took on a job in April 2013 to review information British Transport Police had on people relating to issues such as criminal records and the likelihood of violence or sexual offences. | Jon Williams took on a job in April 2013 to review information British Transport Police had on people relating to issues such as criminal records and the likelihood of violence or sexual offences. |
| He said he and two colleagues who raised concerns about the quality of data management were told in July 2014 they were being investigated for bullying. | He said he and two colleagues who raised concerns about the quality of data management were told in July 2014 they were being investigated for bullying. |
| After being suspended in August, they resigned in October and launched a case for constructive dismissal. | After being suspended in August, they resigned in October and launched a case for constructive dismissal. |
| 'Grievance' | 'Grievance' |
| At the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Vaz asked Mr Crowther why the force had suspended people who were whistleblowers. | At the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Vaz asked Mr Crowther why the force had suspended people who were whistleblowers. |
| He said: "Don't they supply a public service - shouldn't we know when things are going wrong?" | He said: "Don't they supply a public service - shouldn't we know when things are going wrong?" |
| Mr Crowther said he did not accept that they were whistleblowers. | Mr Crowther said he did not accept that they were whistleblowers. |
| "I think they are people who have a sense of grievance and they are pursuing that through an employment tribunal," he said. | "I think they are people who have a sense of grievance and they are pursuing that through an employment tribunal," he said. |
| However, at the end of the session, Mr Vaz said: "This is very bad, Mr Crowther. We are not pleased. We are not satisfied. We want to see this put right immediately. Please write to us in a month." | However, at the end of the session, Mr Vaz said: "This is very bad, Mr Crowther. We are not pleased. We are not satisfied. We want to see this put right immediately. Please write to us in a month." |
| Mr Crowther said that he too wanted to see it "put right". | Mr Crowther said that he too wanted to see it "put right". |