Latest news with #whistleblowing
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Police Association president criticises leaking info related to Jevon McSkimming investigation
Police Association president Chris Cahill Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The Police Association President has criticised the leaking of information in relation to the ongoing inquiries into the former deputy commissioner of police. Jevon McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop last month amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. A High Court judge earlier reserved her decision on whether the media should be allowed to report the nature of the allegedly objectionable material found. Police Association president Chris Cahill addressed leaking in his latest column in the Police News magazine. Cahill wrote that raising concerns about "serious wrongdoing" in the workplace was safeguarded under the Protected Disclosures Act. "This recognises the importance of good faith disclosures about wrongdoing, and encourages transparency, accountability and prevention of corruption." However, leaking details of an ongoing investigation was not whistleblowing, he said. "Over the nine years I have been in my role, I have watched a steady escalation in the number of leaks to media and the accompanying erosion they have caused to police's reputation. "The latest high-profile leak has me literally shaking my head. "Ignoring the media frenzy it has created, we must ask what it says about the professionalism of those in police. What protection can victims, witnesses and even suspects expect when such inappropriate disclosures come with all manner of innuendo and potentially pseudo allegations?" Cahill said that during his decades in police he had been involved in many "sensitive investigations". "I know the damage leaked material could have caused. I would have had no qualms about investigating the breach itself, and I expect this to happen in this current case. "Underlying this situation that is saturating the news, we must still abide by the right to natural justice, irrespective of whether we sympathise or empathise with an alleged offender or not." He said there was also a trend of leaking information on internal employment investigations. "This is not whistleblowing. It is the practice of the selfish saboteur, often driven by personal gain at the expense of others. "I know of bullying allegations being made to settle grievances and then leaked to media, who lap up the reports irrespective of their credibility." He acknowledged some people who leaked may have had a "legitimate grievance". "But laundering it through the media is no more acceptable than the behaviour behind the grievance itself. "These scenarios reflect poorly on the professionalism of both the media and police institutions. "Police criminal investigations - whether internal or external - should be kept as tight as a drum to protect the rights of victims, witnesses and the accused. "All Kiwis have a right to expect that this standard is preserved. Within Police, it is at the heart of its professional, integrity and empathy values." Former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images In response to questions from RNZ, Cahill confirmed his column was spurred by the investigation into McSkimming which he said was "just an example of a wider issue of leaking". "The leaking of active investigation information paints police in a very unprofessional light. Victims, witnesses and suspects all have the right to expect their statements etc will be treated with privacy and only made public as is appropriate during the justice process. "When it comes to suspects, the very idea of innocent until proven guilty and the access to a fair trial are cornerstones of the justice system. The leaking of information can undermine this." He said if no offending was identified by an investigation, the damage to an individual's reputation could be permanent, "especially in today's world of the social media and online content sharing". "When an investigation is still in progress, I do not believe the public interest overrides the need for these privacy protections." Asked if he had expressed his concerns to police, Cahill declined to comment. In the same edition of Police News it was announced that Cahill would not be seeking re-election to his role. "I believe it is positive for an organisation to have change in leadership and while nine years has gone very quickly, it is time for someone else to bring their style and energy to the role. "I am comfortable the association is in a strong position with a positive leadership team at both board and operational levels to support the new president and continue to build on the legacy of past members." He intended to take a break before deciding on what was next for him after October, but added "I will not be looking at national politics". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Silence on bullying at universities ‘like Post Office scandal', says Cambridge chancellor hopeful
The culture of silence on bullying at universities is like the Post Office scandal, a candidate in the running to be the next Cambridge University chancellor has claimed. Prof Wyn Evans, one of 10 hopefuls who could become Cambridge University's next figurehead, said academics were routinely made to feel as if their allegations about bullying and harassment were isolated cases. In an interview with The Telegraph, the astrophysics professor at Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy claimed he was subject to 'prolonged retaliation' after he tried to blow the whistle over mistreatment of a colleague. Prof Evans raised concerns with the university in July 2021 that a female member of staff in his department in the 'throes of extreme mental distress' was being bullied by a more senior employee, adding that he was worried about her welfare as a result. Cambridge University appointed an independent barrister to investigate the claims, but also tasked them with probing separate allegations made about Prof Evans's own behaviour. It took more than a year and a half before the investigation was completed. The barrister concluded that Prof Evans's intervention met the legal threshold for whistleblowing, but that the behaviour reported by him did not constitute bullying. The lawyer dismissed the personal allegations made against Prof Evans and said the claimant provided no evidence to substantiate them. Prof Evans told The Telegraph that the drawn-out process had an enormous impact on his mental health, and that at his lowest ebb during the investigation, he had thoughts of ending his own life. 'Not even a droplet of compassion' 'My problems all started when I intervened on [my colleague's] behalf. I contacted a prominent figure in the university for help in dealing with the victim… No help was offered. There was not even a droplet of compassion for the victim,' he said. 'As is very common in whistleblowing cases, there was then prolonged retaliation against me. The retaliation caused significant disruption to my work and my mental health. I went on sick leave. Sleep was an elusive luxury [and] I was plagued with recurrent nightmares.' The astrophysics professor has promised to introduce an ombudsman at Cambridge University to investigate 'serious abuses or mismanagement' if elected chancellor. The scientist, whose research is around the formation of the Milky Way, launched a blog about his ordeal in 2023 calling for other academics to come forward with their own experiences. The 21 Group, named after the percentage of Cambridge University employees who reported being subjected to bullying or harassment in an internal staff survey, has seen almost 300 academics from around the world share their stories about bullying and harassment to date. Prof Evans described their revelations as similar to the Post Office scandal, in which victims were repeatedly told they were the only ones struggling with the company's faulty Horizon software despite more than 900 of them later being wrongly prosecuted for theft. 'If you remember in the sub-postmaster scandal, the Post Office was telling each individual sub-postmaster that, you know, 'it's just you were having problems with Horizon'. And it was only when they got together and they found that it was actually very common and almost ubiquitous, and the Post Office had been telling untruths,' he said. 'So it's something similar to that, that by helping all these people come together, we're much more powerful at fighting back against the universities. The knowledge that what has happened to you has happened to many other people is powerful because you realise that it isn't an individual personal experience.' The 21 Group has seen more than 8,000 visitors to its website in the past week alone, according to Prof Evans, with most academics active on the platform claiming to be from research-intensive universities across the UK. Some allege they have been stripped of research funding as part of power struggles with more senior colleagues. Free speech 'There are many young researchers who find their grants blocked because of sort of academic jealousy or of the feeling of being threatened. I think that's actually very common,' said Prof Evans. He claimed the issue was at the heart of broader free speech problems at universities, with institutions failing to properly address bullying and harassment allegations for fear of reputational damage. In his independent report into Prof Evans's whistleblowing claims, the external barrister appointed by Cambridge University said he regretted the length of time that the investigation took and 'the effect this will undoubtedly have had on all those involved'. The barrister also raised concerns that several staff members pulled out of providing testimony over fears they would face retaliation. Prof Evans, a don at the university for more than 20 years, claimed it was 'all quite unlike the Cambridge University as it really could be'. 'The magnificent role the university could play in encouraging greater empathy, diversity, kindness and inclusion as well as public interest in scholarship and learning, is undermined by its poor culture,' he said. 'Culture is set by the people at the top. This is one of things I would change as chancellor.' Cambridge University said it strongly refuted Prof Evans's claims. The astrophysics professor will run against rival candidates including Sandi Toksvig, the comedian and ex-presenter of the Great British Bake Off, and Gina Miller, the anti-Brexit campaigner, in the race to become the next Cambridge chancellor. The successful candidate will replace Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who was elected to the role in 2011 and stepped down last year. He had succeeded Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who held the position for 35 years. Voting is set to take place both online and in-person for the first time next month, with a winner set to be announced in the week beginning July 21, 2025. A spokesperson for Cambridge University said: 'We strongly dispute claims made in this version of events but cannot comment further on ongoing cases. The university takes allegations of bullying and harassment extremely seriously.'
The Guardian
08-06-2025
- The Guardian
The Guardian launches Secure Messaging, a world-first from a media organisation, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge
The Guardian has today (9 June) launched a unique new tool for protecting journalistic sources. Secure Messaging, a new whistleblowing innovation, makes it easier and safer for anyone to share stories and tips with our journalists via the Guardian app. Built by the Guardian's product and engineering team in partnership with the University of Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology, Secure Messaging is an exciting new approach to confidential communication between the public and the press. Secure Messaging is unlike traditional information sharing platforms. The tech behind the tool conceals the fact that messaging is taking place at all. It makes the communication indistinguishable from data sent to and from the app by our millions of regular users. So, by using the Guardian app, readers are effectively providing 'cover' and helping us to protect sources. Secure Messaging is not just a significant source protection tool for the Guardian. As part of our commitment to protecting the press and the public interest globally, the Guardian has published the source code for the technology that enables this system. This means that other organisations can use this technology freely to implement secure messaging tools within their own apps. The development of Secure Messaging comes at a time when journalists and their confidential sources are under pressure in the US and globally. This work underpins the Guardian's long-standing commitment to investigative journalism in the public interest and to safeguarding those who take risks to expose the truth. Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian News & Media, says: 'Investigative reporting is extremely important to the Guardian; we have been exposing wrongdoing and scrutinising power with complete independence for decades. We know first-hand how impactful investigations so often depend on trusted reader-reporter interactions. Blowing the whistle on wrongdoing has always taken bravery and, as threats to journalists around the world increase, so does the need to protect confidential sources.' Caspar Llewellyn Smith, chief product officer, Guardian News & Media says: 'Secure Messaging represents significant progress in protecting source anonymity. The Guardian is proud to lead the way in developing this new technology, working in close collaboration with the University of Cambridge. We have always had confidential processes for sharing digital information and Secure Messaging is a protected way for sources to get in touch – all within the secure environment of the Guardian app.' Professor Alastair Beresford, Head of Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology, says: 'News organisations serve a key role in a democracy, providing all of us with independent information about our society, and holding the powerful to account. Protecting the identity of sources is a critical component of what makes investigative journalism safe and effective. We are pleased to collaborate with the Guardian to improve communication security between sources and journalists by using Secure Messaging in their main news app. It's wonderful to see this technology released as open source software, and we are keen to work with other global news organisations to adopt this.' Further information about how the Guardian created Secure Messaging, can be found here. Secure Messaging is one of the key new features within the Guardian's recently updated news app. Download now on the App Store and Google Play. [ENDS] For interviews please contact Notes to editors The concept for Secure Messaging originated following a paper written by University of Cambridge researchers in 2022 – 'CoverDrop: blowing the whistle through a news app'. The paper, which included interviews with staff at the Guardian, explored the issue with keeping sources truly confidential within current whistleblowing tech. Once published, the Guardian started work to make the Secure Messaging service a reality, with its product and engineering investigations and reporting team building the app, alongside a member of the original research team from the University of Cambridge. The academic paper about the Guardian's implementation received positive feedback from experts in applied cryptography, human computer interaction and decentralised systems. The technology has been audited by 7A Security (with funding from the Open Technology Fund). The Guardian will continue to develop the platform, adding new enhancements and security measures in the coming months. About Guardian Media Group Guardian Media Group is amongst the world's leading media organisations. Its core business is Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of one of the largest English-speaking quality news websites in the world. In the UK, Guardian Media Group publishes the Guardian newspaper six days a week, first published in 1821. Since launching its US and Australian digital editions in 2011 and 2013, respectively, traffic from outside of the UK now represents around two-thirds of the Guardian's total digital audience. The Guardian also has an international digital edition and a new European edition that launched in 2023, with an expanded network of more than 20 European correspondents, editors and reporters.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
'Chilling effect': Union raises concerns over ministers' interference after leaks
Public service organisations have been urged to "take every possible action" to shut down leaking. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Stronger whistleblowing laws and more emphasis on free and frank advice are needed to balance out a crackdown on leaks, the Public Service Association (PSA) union says. The campaign against leaks was exposed in a leaked email from a department boss to staff, after Commissioner Sir Brian Roche urged chief executives to "take every possible action" to shut down leaking, including sacking those found responsible where appropriate. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said such dismissals would require fair process. "We don't condone leaking, but we cannot see a blanket rule that public servants are dismissed when leaks occur. New Zealand law requires a full and fair investigation process, and employers have to enter that process with an open mind," she said. "Public servants must not leak. But there is a legal duty to provide free and frank advice to the government of the day, and we'd like to see the government also reiterating those expectations alongside these messages about leaking." Pointing to an academic article by Massey's Richard Shaw and Victoria University of Wellington's Chris Eichbaum from 2023, she said there had been a chilling effect on the provision of free and frank advice over multiple governments. "Our members have reported to us that they have been advised not to provide certain commentary in advice or to only do so via phone and that there is direct ministerial involvement in matters that would usually sit within departments," she said. "We saw this with the approach taken to the survey of public servants recently. The chilling effect of this is exacerbated in an environment of constant cuts and job losses." She said Associate Health Minister Casey Costello making accusations in November about a public servant for internal communications about heated tobacco products was another case. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The PSA at the time wrote to Sir Brian saying that would have a chilling effect, made worse by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's comments that "appear to conflate this case with a separate issue from last month". Fitzsimons urged the government to look at strengthening New Zealand's whistleblowing law, the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. "The current whistleblowing laws in New Zealand put a very high threshold on serious wrongdoing. We would call on government to review those laws, but at the end of the day public servants shouldn't leak, it's not professional to do so, and we advise against it." The Act limits whistleblowing to exposing "serious wrongdoing", which includes posing a serious risk to health, safety, or the maintenance of law, corrupt or irregular use of public funds or resources, or breaking the law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that when leaks happened it undermined the public service as a whole. "They do the public service a big disservice frankly and the public's trust in the public service is a problem and that's why I think it's pretty unfair because we've got some great public servants in New Zealand, we're very well served by some awesome people. "We've always had leaking in different governments but it's ultimately up to individuals are trusted to serve the government of the day and to do so in a politically neutral way." ACT leader David Seymour said those found leaking should "absolutely" face repercussions. He had this message for public servants: "Your career as a public servant is a part of your life. For all of your life you're going to be invested in this country working and you have no right to undermine the constitutional setup and framework that has made this country a success, that you've benefited from. "Some of the people who are the people leaking would really struggle to get a job outside the cocoon of the public service, because in the private sector honesty and integrity are highly valued." He said the public service was "far too large" and "if we want to start reducing it maybe we need to leak out a few leakers". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
-2.jpg%3Fitok%3DdQeiGCso&w=3840&q=100)
CNA
07-05-2025
- General
- CNA
Work It - When do I escalate a problem at work and whistle blow?
Work It You've highlighted several concerns at work to your managers but these have fallen on deaf ears. Should you escalate the issues higher and is whistle blowing an option? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at]
