EC whistleblower faces new gag threat
8 June 1999
Senior managers in the European Commission have threatened Paul van Buitenen with fresh disciplinary action if he makes further disclosures about fraud and mismanagement in Brussels. News of this latest move comes as UK ministers announce the start date for tough new laws to protect whistleblowers like van Buitenen who speak out against corruption and cover-ups.
The leaders of the Commission dramatically resigned in March after a damning report into van Buitenen’s allegations concluded “It is difficult to find anyone who has the slightest sense of responsibility.” This week the man who presided over this debacle, former EC President Jacques Santer, looks certain to win a safe seat in the European Parliament. His good fortune is in marked contrast to van Buitenen’s who was suspended, transferred and is now threatened with new gags.
Today’s announcement (from the Department of Trade and Industry) that the Public Interest Disclosure Act will come into force on 2nd July is a stark reminder of how far Brussels lags behind the Britain. From next month, British bosses risk heavy penalties if they ignore or suppress staff warnings about malpractice or if they victimise the whistleblower. Prior to his gag, van Buitenen argued that he would never have been suspended if the UK Act had applied to him.
“People won’t have confidence in Europe if those who challenge corruption are hung out to dry,” says Guy Dehn, director of the independent watchdog Public Concern at Work. “If the new Commission and Parliament are serious about changing this culture, they urgently need to introduce protection for whistleblowers.”