Whistle-blower protection not enough

An article by Chris Galley, our Research Director, appeared on the Index on Censorship today in response to the Public Administration Select Committee’s newly released proposals to protect civil service whistle-blowers: When it was discovered, in November last year, that I was the source of a series of Home Office leaks that caused considerable embarrassment to the government, the police...
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PASC – ‘civil servants can expose ministerial cover ups’

The Commons Public  Administration Select Committee (PASC) chaired by Tony Wright MP released a report today which looks at leaks and whistle-blowing in Whitehall, PASC argues that leaks damage trust within government.  It also suggests that the leak investigations are politically motivated, including leaks from special advisers and ministers.  The conclusion of this report is for...
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Lord Sheldon reported to the House of Lords Authorities

 The Sunlight Centre for Open Politics has reported Lord Sheldon to the House of Lords authorities over reports that appeared in the Sunday Times at the weekend. Lord Sheldon  a former treasury minister and chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee is accused of claiming £130,000 of the ‘overnight’ subsistence allowance for a home he previously owned in...
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Lord Taylor of Warwick reported to the House of Lords authorities

The Sunlight Centre for Open Politics has reported Lord Taylor to the House of Lords authorities regarding allegations surrounding his £70,000 overnight subsistence and his supposed phantom addresses in the Midlands between 2001 – 2007.  We have given Lord Taylor several days to respond to our questions but he has not replied at all.  Below is a copy of the letter we have...
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John Bercow and the £20K redecoration of the Speaker’s Palace

John Bercow the new Speaker for the House of Commons has according to according to the Daily Telegraph this morning alledegdy spent £20,000 on refurbishments to the Speaker’s palace.  Mr Bercow has said that as he now has his young family (aged one, three and five) are living in the Speaker’s palace alterations are necessary.  The Daily Telegraph has produced evidence...
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