Plans to expand whistleblower list put forward

The changes would come into effect on 1 April if approved

Plans to expand the list of bodies that whistleblowers can make disclosures to are set to be considered by the Isle of Man's parliament later this month.

The Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2025 would see the inclusion of various medical regulators in the prescribed persons list from 1 April.

Brought forward by the Department for Enterprise, it follows a public consultation on who should be included in the list, including proposals to include politicians which was rejected by Tynwald.

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said it was "crucial" whistleblowers could "have confidence in the organisation they wish to make a disclosure to, and are protected in doing so."

The move would see the inclusion of the General Medical Council, The General Dental Council, the General Optical Council, the General Pharmaceutical Council, the General Osteopathic Council and the Health and Care Professions Council in the list.

The Department of Home Affairs and the Tynwald Auditor General would also be included as prescribed persons.

Other changes under the order include the expansion of the remit in which someone can make a disclosure within the Department of Health and Social Care and the Gambling Supervision Commission which would come into effect from 1 April.

Tynwald approval would also be sought for the Prescribed Persons (Duty to Report) Regulations 2025 requiring prescribed persons to report annually on disclosures made to them.

The government said those reports would help "identify gaps and areas for improvement" in the handling of disclosures and provide assurance to the public and whistleblowers that the prescribed body takes disclosures seriously.

The changes come as part of a move to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, with the introduction of a public interest test and the removal of a good faith requirement already approved by Tynwald.