Member

We believe that the words “whistleblower” and “whistleblowing” may make some people hesitate to come forward. The Cabinet Office guidance—which has informed government departments and was also followed under the previous Government, including by the MoD in developing its “raising a concern” policies—recognises that language can put people off coming forward. We all know that those words have strong connotations and links in the public subconsciousness to exposing large-scale fraud or deep-seated corruption. Encouraging this language may lead to some serving personnel and their families feeling nervous about coming forward, and it may make them less likely to think of this as an appropriate route to raise the welfare matters affecting their daily lives and well-being.