A foray into Scotland
In 2001 we commissioned Lynne MacMillan to conduct a pilot project on whistleblowing in Scotland. This looked promising and after we were given a two year grant toward the salary costs of a Scottish director, we launched an office in February 2002 (press release) In autumn 2004 Lynne MacMillan resigned and Harry Templeton (the Maxwell whistleblower) agreed to take over the work part-time. Despite the best efforts of Lynne and Harry, we were unable to establish the office as a going concern and in April 2006 closed it (press release).
Holyrood Inquiry
Our submission to Lord Fraser’s Inquiry into the management of the Holyrood Parliament building project in Scotland highlighted the value of responsible whistleblowing as an early warning system that both deters and detects possible wrongdoing. We asked that if the evidence received by the Inquiry suggested that employees involved in the Holyrood project were aware of potential wrongdoing and yet did not raise their concerns, that the Inquiry could recommend that Scottish public sector bodies adopt and promote whistleblowing policies. Further, that the Inquiry could recommend that these policies be made available to the employees of contractors so that these employees may raise concerns about potential problems affecting any public project on which their employer is engaged.
Don’t turn a blind eye
Public Concern at Work and Audit Scotland has produced guidance on whistleblowing for Scottish public sector managers and staff.
If you are an employee who suspects fraud or corruption in a Scottish public body, download our employee leaflet. If you are a manager in a Scottish public body and need information on how to react to suspected fraud, corruption or other wrongdoing, download our manager leaflet.