Reporting and opinion by Mathew Carr
Feb. 16-27, 2024 — A key point of whistleblowing is to tell some truth about wrongdoing that is not otherwise being told.
Jailed-for-no-charge Julian Assange, perhaps the most famous whistleblower on earth for his truth telling about US war crimes and other bad behavior, never stood a chance in a era where corporations and governments want to define what is truth.
This industry-media-government matrix is now so shameless in the face of public uproar, it seems to be trying to divide and conquer the whistleblowers, the people pretty much doing for free what the government should be doing.
These people are trying to hold businesses and government institutions to account.
And the British Conservative government is simply refusing to protect them properly, near the end of 14 years in office, while PRETENDING it wants to.
It’s completely shameful …yet there is a little hope.
Here is a list of people and organisations struggling because of that regrettable situation. I will add to it over the coming days and weeks.
One — Kevin Hollinrake — business and trade minister
Hollinrake instigated a review of whistleblowing law a year ago, yet the report has not been published, even as the parliament schedules debates on the Whistleblowing Bill then abandons them. The latest is set for March 1, in a few short days.
“I don’t think governments (political parties) as a whole really want effective whistleblowing law. I think what they want is a kind of an acceptable sticking plaster that will basically contain most whistleblowers,” said Eileen Chubb, a groundbreaking whistleblower who now helps whistleblowers in the care and other industries.
“We’ve met many politicians over the years doing this, you know, and I could probably count on one hand people who have got integrity.”
Whistleblowers UK, which seeks to help those calling out bad behavior and provides the secretariat at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Whistleblowing in Westminster, is also frustrated with the lack of progress.
“They (the government) have missed every opportunity,” said Georgina Halford-Hall. “They have had an ‘open goal’ [soccer analogy] to do the right thing …and time and time again they’ve kicked it over the bar [in soccer the ball has to go under the bar and into the net to get the goal].”
“Evidence from America is absolutely categorical that putting in place very strong deterrents drives better compliance. That means there will be less whistleblowers. It does not mean there will be none.”
It’s time that the government finances a solution that changes culture in government and the economy “if they believe that whistleblowers truly are important to society,” Halford-Hall said.
Halford-Hall says she’s effectively communicated the need for change, but concedes the whistleblowing bill debate scheduled for March 1 might get delayed yet again.
“I’ve got a long way further than anyone else has got. It’s been in parliament four times. I’ve never given up,” she said.
I failed to get a comment in response from Mr Hollinrake or his press office or his constituency office.
A person at the business and trade ministry told me the whistleblowing law review report might be published in March. To me, that implies the March 1 “second reading debate” will be delayed yet again … and a UK election could be called at any time. The King’s speech didn’t highlight whistleblowing protection as a key government priority.
There is some hope:
Back-door protection? Secondary legislation?
Two — Georgina Halford-Hall
Halford-Hall is the chief executive of Whistleblowers UK and she says she has been struggling to help whistleblowers while facing allegations she is pushing ineffective legislation — that the British government isn’t fully supporting.
She’s in favor of a new “office of the whistleblower” for Britain which might have investigatory powers and even the power to prosecute.
Three — Eileen Chubb from Compassion in Care
Chubb, one of the champions of helping health workers dealing with care-home mismanagement during the deadly Covid pandemic, favors the establishment of specialist whistleblower protection units within police forces.
Companies or officials in government departments who deploy detriments onto whistleblowers could be criminalised under both suggestions.
(Adds Halford-Hall comments)
NOTES
NOTE A
https://minhalexander.com/?s=grant+thornton
NOTE B
Fake law designed to distract?
NOTE ONE
Why so many vice chairs? to defect blame from the systematic and repeated persecution of whistleblowers the past 14 years and beyond?
NOTE TWO
Assange document from UK judiciary:
February 1, 2024
Assange -v- Government of the United States of America
High CourtKing’s Bench DivisionJudgmentTransmission Direction Order
Case Number: Ac-2022-Lon-001745 And 1746
In The High Court Of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Divisional Court
1 February 2024
Before:
President Of The King’s Bench Division and Mr Justice Johnson
Between:
Julian Paul Assange
-v-
Government Of The United States Of America
-v-
Secretary Of State For The Home Department
(Interested Party)
Order
UPON the appellant’s renewed application for permission to appeal being listed on 20 and 21 February 2024
AND UPON the court receiving requests to attend the hearing by video link, and anticipating that further requests will be received before the hearing
It is ordered that:
- If the parties wish to make any representations about the way in which the court should treat requests to attend the hearing made under paragraph 3 below, those representations must be filed with the court by 4pm on 9 February 2024.
- Any person may, with the written permission of an employee of HMCTS (which shall only be granted after approval by the court), observe the proceedings by way of an audio-visual link.
- Any person seeking such written permission shall send the request to listoffice@administrativecourtoffice.justice.gov.uk by 4pm on 15 February 2024.
- Any person (“the applicant”) seeking permission under paragraph 3 above, shall include in their request:
(a) the full name of the applicant;
(b) the email address of the applicant;
(c) information as to whether the applicant would be located within the jurisdiction of England and Wales at all times when attending the Hearing remotely (if a transmission direction were to be made); and, if not, details of the applicant’s location;
(d) any information the applicant wishes to provide in support of the request, including in particular any reason(s) why it is contended that making such a direction would be in the interests of justice; and
(e) a statement by the applicant in the following terms:
“I agree and undertake to the Court that, if permitted to attend the Hearing remotely, I will not make a recording, capture images, and/or broadcast any part of the proceedings. I understand that to do so may be an offence and/or contempt of court, punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine. I will abide by any directions given to me by the Court during the Hearing. I agree and undertake to the Court that I will not provide the link that I am given to access the Hearing to any other person.” - A request for permission that is not made by the deadline imposed by this Order and/or does not comply with paragraph 4 of this Order may be refused.
- All those who are provided with a link t observe the proceedings shall be provided with a copy of this order.
- Each such observer shall ensure that nobody else is able to hear or view the proceedings via the link unless that person has first identified themselves to the court and has been provided with permission by the court to view the link.
- Each observer may only access the link from within the United Kingdom unless the observer has been given permission, in writing, by a member of HMCTS staff to observe the proceedings from outside the United Kingdom (in which case they may only access the link from that location).
- Each observer shall, as a condition of continued access:
(a) keep their camera turned off, and ensure that they are muted (unless instructed otherwise)
(b) conduct themselves appropriately and in particular in accordance with any instructions of the judges and/or court staff for persons observing the proceedings (remembering that they will be treated as if they were physically present in the courtroom). - Transmission via the link is dependent on the link being activated at least 5 minutes before the proceedings start, so that information may be provided by the court staff before proceedings start.
- This direction may be varied or revoked at any time and without notice by further direction of the court.
- Any party who wishes to vary or set aside this direction may do so on written application.
- Costs in the case.
Important note: See the attached rules for those who observe proceedings remotely. If you do not obey the rules then that might amount to a criminal offence or a contempt of court which may be punished by imprisonment.
GDPR: Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of facilitating your attendance at the hearing, ensuring that the proceedings are conducted without disruption, and enforcing the applicable laws and directions, including those requiring orderly behaviour during proceedings, prohibiting live text-based communication from court, and the making of audio-visual recordings. They will not be used for any other purposes, and will not be kept on file for longer than is necessary for those purposes.
Reasons:
(A) The Court anticipates that there is likely to be interest from media representatives and members of the public in attending remotely the hearing that is due to commence for 2 days on 20-21 February 2024. To manage the process, we have set out a procedure whereby anyone who wishes to attend the hearing remotely can make a transmission direction request.
(B) The court will not normally grant a transmission direction request in respect of an applicant who will not be in England and Wales during the Hearing. Anyone making a transmission direction request who will not be in England and Wales should provide information (pursuant to paragraph 4(d) above) as to why it would nevertheless be in the interests of justice to make a transmission direction order in his/her case.
(C) Late requests, because they cause disruption to the Court’s work are likely to be refused, unless there are compelling reasons why the applicant was unable to comply with the Court’s directions.
Dated this 1st day of February 2024
Rules for third-party observers (public hearing)
You are being given remote access to a public court hearing. The judiciary and court service are committed to open justice. This is subject to five simple rules to protect the court process.
- Do not share your link without permission. The link must only be used by someone else if that has been approved by the court.
- Behave respectfully. A court hearing is a serious matter. Behave as if you were in a physical court room. Do not disturb or interrupt. Follow any instructions of the judge. Your access may be terminated if you do not.
- Do not record the hearing. It is a criminal offence to record a court hearing. You must not record video or audio or take photos or screenshots of the hearing.
- If you want to report, take care. You can report live in writing if you are a journalist or you have the specific permission of the Judge conducting the hearing. Otherwise, reports must be after the event. In all cases there may be reporting restrictions which you must obey. It is your responsibility to find out whether restrictions apply.
- Take all these rules seriously. If you break them you might not just lose your access. You might be guilty of an offence or contempt of court for which you could be fined or sent to prison for up to 2 years.
To make sure these rules are followed we advise you to
• find somewhere private to join the hearing
• turn off your microphone and camera
• switch off any other device, unless you have permission to use it
• check whether reporting restrictions apply
NOTE THREE
Example of Charity Commission report:
COMPASSION IN CARE
Charity number: 1102282
Charity reporting is up to date (on time)
Charity overview
Activities – how the charity spends its money
We are the only charity working the care sector who refuse to accept funding from either Government or Care Industry, this allows us to take a very different and effective approach which is evident in the ground-breaking work we do. We regularly publish comprehensive evidence from our helpline, which has exposed abuse, protected the vulnerable and supported whistle-blowers and families.
Income and expenditure
Data for financial year ending 31 August 2023
Total income: £8,574
Total expenditure: £23,927
People
4 Trustee(s)
Employees with total benefits over £60,000
No information available
Fundraising
No information available
Trading
No information available
Trustee payments
No information available
What, who, how, where
What the charity does:
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
- Disability
Who the charity helps:
- Elderly/old People
- The General Public/mankind
How the charity helps:
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Sponsors Or Undertakes Research
Where the charity operates:
- Throughout England And Wales
Governance
Registration history:
- 24 February 2004: Standard registration
Organisation type:
Charitable company
Other names:
No other names
Company number:
Gift aid:
Recognised by HMRC for gift aid
Other regulators:
No information available
Policies:
- Complaints handling
- Conflicting interests
- Risk management
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Volunteer management
Land and property:
This charity does not own and/or lease land or property
Trustees
Trustees are the people responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries. Generally trustees are treasurer, chair, board member etc. The trustees are responsible for keeping this list up to date and can do this by updating their details as they happen through the online service
4 Trustee(s)
| Name | Role | Date of appointment | Other trusteeships | Reporting status of other trusteeships | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EILEEN CHUBB | Chair | 15 August 2003 | None on record | |||
| Karis Le-Winton | Trustee | 10 December 2020 | None on record | |||
| MARGARET ROFFEY | Trustee | 09 July 2012 | None on record | |||
| STEPHEN HONOUR | Trustee | 15 August 2003 | None on record | |||
Financial history
Financial period end date
| Income / Expenditure | 31/08/2019 | 31/08/2020 | 31/08/2021 | 31/08/2022 | 31/08/2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total gross income | £10.86k | £88.10k | £29.47k | £12.71k | £8.57k | ||
| Total expenditure | £14.54k | £16.99k | £33.58k | £21.75k | £23.93k | ||
| Income from government contracts | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Income from government grants | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Accounts and annual returns
This table shows the charity’s record of submitting annual returns, accounts and trustees’ annual report (TAR) for the last five financial periods.
| Title | Reporting year | Date received | Received | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return | 31 August 2023 | 30 October 2023 | On time | |
| Accounts and TAR | 31 August 2023 | Not Required | ||
| Annual return | 31 August 2022 | 13 December 2022 | On time | |
| Accounts and TAR | 31 August 2022 | Not Required | ||
| Annual return | 31 August 2021 | 10 February 2022 | On time | |
| Accounts and TAR | 31 August 2021 | 10 February 2022 | On time | DownloadOpen in new window |
| Annual return | 31 August 2020 | 21 June 2021 | On time | |
| Accounts and TAR | 31 August 2020 | 21 June 2021 | On time | DownloadOpen in new window |
| Annual return | 31 August 2019 | 08 August 2020 | 39 days late | |
| Accounts and TAR | 31 August 2019 | Not Required |
Submit annual returnOpen in new window
Governing document
Details of the type of governing document the charity has and when it was established.
It is not the full text of the charity’s governing document.
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES INCORPORATED 15/08/2003 AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 15/01/2004 as amended on 29 Sep 2020
Charitable objects
1) TO RELIEVE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OF THE ELDERLY WHO HAVE SUFFERED ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN CARE SETTINGS. 2) TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THOSE WORKING IN THE CARE TO ENABLE THEM TO RECOGNISE AND REPORT ON ELDERLY ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
Area of benefit
The area the charity can operate in, as set out in its governing document.
NATIONAL
Contact information
Address:19A TRANSMERE ROAD
PETTS WOOD
ORPINGTON
BR5 1DT
Phone:01689875604Email:info@compassionincare.comWebsite:
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