Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle and Chair of the APPG for Whistleblowing, has called on the Government to include whistleblower protections as part of their work to tackle economic crime.

At report stage of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, Mary tabled an amendment, NC7, which would require the creation of an Office for Whistleblowers. This amendment, which had significant cross-party support, is the continuation of work underway by the APPG for Whistleblowing to create an independent office to encourage, support and advise whistleblowers, who are often failed by, or not represented by, existing legislation.

Mary Robinson commented “Statistics say that 43% of economic crime is detected through whistleblowers, but from experience, the true figure is much higher. We know that whistleblowers play a pivotal role in uncovering economic crime and if the Government is serious about tackling it, they will reform whistleblowing legislation.”

“Whistleblowers face significant risk to their careers, livelihoods and personal wellbeing when they speak up. We need to take measures to protect and support them, which will in turn encourage people to speak up and report economic crime.”

While this amendment was not added to the Bill, the Security Minister, in his closing speech, expressed his support for an Office for Whistleblowers and confirmed that reforms to the Government’s whistleblowing framework are forthcoming.

You can view Mary’s speech here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9b8ec96e-08bc-48a8-b970-a7c8130d8…