Fergie's Tech Blog

UK: Whistleblower Spies Left Out in The Cold by New Government Rules

Jason Lewis writes in The Daily Mail:

Britain's spies will not be covered by new rules that protect Government whistleblowers.

Officers from MI5, MI6 and the GCHQ listening station who raise the alarm over their roles must instead have the issue dealt with internally.

However, other Government departments will be covered by the new code of practice designed to ensure public service honesty, integrity and independence.

The rules – in the proposed Constitutional Renewal Bill – will ensure grievances are investigated by independent officials from other departments.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw's decision to exclude spies comes despite the huge growth in size and activities of the main agencies – plus continuing questions over their role in the Iraq war run-up.

posted by Fergie @ 5/11/2008 08:26:00 AM