Whistleblowing: the UK experience. Part 1

An historical saunter is taken through the development of approaches, legal and organisational, to deal with whistleblowing. Whistleblowing engenders strong emotions, and it is not surprising that some of the early pioneers met with stiff resistance. Some classic whistleblowing cases are analysed, notably Stanley Adams and charge nurse Graham Pink. Key developments and cases during the Thatcher period are outlined. Employment law was rather primitive, and failed to give much definitive protection to whistleblowers. The contribution of the Committee of Lord Nolan on Standards in Public Life is outlined. The area of higher education, and the pivotal territory of financial services, accounting and auditing also are treated.