WHISTLE-BLOWING campaigners are backing a new Bill in Parliament tomorrow that aims to support NHS workers at risk of being silenced on pandemic conditions in hospitals.

Former NHS psychiatrist and whistle-blowing campaigner Dr Minh Alexander has been working with colleagues and SNP MP Philippa Whitford since 2018 to put forward a private members’ Bill highlighting the weakness of current whistle-blowing legislation. 

The Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill will get its second reading today. 

Campaigners point out that the Covid crisis has highlighted the crucial importance of speaking up on workplace safety concerns and the threat that NHS staff still face over raising them. 

During the last peak of infection, some staff reported that they had been warned not to speak out about shortages of personal protective equipment and that their social media were monitored. 

But campaigners warn that suppressing whistle-blowing is dangerous and disguises the reality of what is happening to Britain’s public services.

Dr Alexander said: “Seven per cent of working people will need whistle-blowing protection at some point in their lives. 

“Whistle blowers protect us all, save lives, help protect our democracy and lift a lid on corruption. 

“They are disgracefully let down by weak whistle-blowing law, which not only allows organisations to cover up, but allows whistle blowers to be destroyed and smeared.”

Existing laws were putting whistle blowers on trial instead of listening to them, Dr Alexander said.

“Frontline staff cannot speak up safely about bad government policy or unsafe shortages caused by cuts.

“There have been so many avoidable deaths because whistle blowers have been silenced or ignored. 

“The government knows the law is weak but drags its feet. This is a huge betrayal. It is vital that this injustice is put right.”