Awaiting Approval! Long-Promised Whistleblower Act Could Provide Protection, Compensation
Whistleblowers in the British Virgin Islands could be protected and even compensated if and when the Whistleblower Act 2021 becomes law.
This is according to a post-Cabinet meeting decision which was chaired by Governor John Rankin, CMG on February 3, 2021, at the Financial Services Commission's Conference Room in Pasea Estate.
A whistleblower is defined as someone in the public service or otherwise who reports wrongdoing of their superiors.
It said that Cabinet reviewed and noted: the Bill entitled, Whistleblower Act, 2021 (the "Bill"), which seeks: to make provisions for the manner in which individuals, may in the public interest, disclose information that relates to unlawful or other illegal conduct or corrupt practices of others.
It continued: "To provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make these disclosures; and to provide for a fund to reward individuals who make the disclosures."
At that meeting, it was also decided that the Premier's Office would instruct the Attorney General's Chambers to vet and finalise the Bill to be resubmitted to Cabinet for approval before being introduced in the House of Assembly.
This legislation was promised by this VIP government weeks before taking office in 2019.
It is noteworthy to inform that the Andrew Fahie administration has been accused of victimisation, intimidation and the like among public officers, and a Commission of Inquiry launched by the United Kingdom into that and other matters in the territory is in full swing.
A whistleblower is defined as someone in the public service or otherwise who reports wrongdoing of their superiors.
It said that Cabinet reviewed and noted: the Bill entitled, Whistleblower Act, 2021 (the "Bill"), which seeks: to make provisions for the manner in which individuals, may in the public interest, disclose information that relates to unlawful or other illegal conduct or corrupt practices of others.
It continued: "To provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make these disclosures; and to provide for a fund to reward individuals who make the disclosures."
At that meeting, it was also decided that the Premier's Office would instruct the Attorney General's Chambers to vet and finalise the Bill to be resubmitted to Cabinet for approval before being introduced in the House of Assembly.
This legislation was promised by this VIP government weeks before taking office in 2019.
It is noteworthy to inform that the Andrew Fahie administration has been accused of victimisation, intimidation and the like among public officers, and a Commission of Inquiry launched by the United Kingdom into that and other matters in the territory is in full swing.