Call to add Tynwald members to whistleblowers list

The eight-week survey on prescribed persons for whistleblowing received 55 responses

An MHK has called for Tynwald members to be added to the list of people that whistleblowers can disclose information to.

In a consultation by the Department for Enterprise (DfE) on which groups should be added to prescribed persons list showed 49% of respondents backed the move.

But the department said it would not make the change due concerns about confidentiality and potential conflicts for members.

Julie Edge MHK said the decision "flies in the face of open, transparent government and accountability" and will ask Tynwald members to back reversing it this month.

The DfE has been contacted for a response.

'Extra security net'

In the Employment Act 2006 prescribed persons can be contacted so a disclosure can be investigated and dealt with by them.

As well as 49% of respondents backing the move, the consultation found 42% were against, with the remainder choosing not to answer the question.

Publishing the findings of the survey, the DfE said some of the feedback, along with a previously published Tynwald committee report, set out some "good reasons" why parliamentarians should not be added to the list.

They included concerns over impartiality and confidentiality, the possible politicization of the process, and the lack powers they have to investigate disclosures.

But Edge said she was concerned the department was "ignoring the public's response" and highlighted that UK MPs were classed as prescribed persons.

The change would see "complete accountability right through to the parliamentary process", she said

"If it were enshrined in law a politician would have a duty to deal with it in an appropriate manner, but they could be held to account also," Edge said.

The change could be an "extra security net" for whistleblowers on the island, she added.

The motion is tabled for debate in the October sitting of the parliament.