Copyright WhistleblowersUK July 2025 #WAM2025 – Jo Gideon and Ian Byrne MP
Statement from the Board of WhistleblowersUK
It is with regret we announce that Jo Gideon, our Chair for the past two years is standing down as a Director of WhistleblowersUK. In her letter to the Board Jo said,
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Chair of WhistleblowersUK for the last two years. However, now, more than ever, our CEO needs significant assistance to drive forward the campaign for whistleblowing legislation and an Office of the Whistleblower. Due to other commitments I am no longer able to provide the level of support needed.
The work undertaken by the organisation, led by our inimitable and fearless CEO, Georgina Halford-Hall, has kept the topic of whistleblowing, and the need for legislation to protect those who speak out in the public interest, in the spotlight.
The success of Whistleblowing Awareness Month 2026, organised by WhistleblowersUK, where a wide range of themes were examined by expert panellists, politicians and whistleblowers, has been the highlight of the year. Now it is completed, the time is right for me to stand down from the Board. Whilst I am no longer able to play an active role, I continue to support and believe in
the values and aspirations of WhistleblowersUK.”
Iain Mitchell KC speaking on behalf of the Board said,
“We will always be grateful for the outstanding support Jo has given us and for all her hard work on our behalf. Her contribution has been unmatched. In recognition of that we are very pleased that Jo has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Vice-President of WhistleblowersUK.
We look forward to benefiting from her wise counsel for many years to come.”
Tessa Munt MP, Vice Chair of WhistleblowersUK said,
“Jo has been a tremendous tour de force in supporting and continuing to promote the Whistleblowing Bill since her time as an MP and vice chair of the APPG for Whistleblowing. We are all delighted that she will remain part of the wider team and to lend her support to our work, we all wish her well.”
Iain Mitchell has agreed, with the full support of the Board, to take up the position of Acting Chair with immediate effect. Contact: igmitchell@WBUK.org
Background Information
WhistleblowersUK provides help, information and support to whistleblowers and organisations and leads the Campaign for an Office of the Whistleblower (Bill drafted by WhistleblowersUK).
The Whistleblowing Bill will transform whistleblowing in the UK making it an offence to retaliate against a whistleblower, fail to act, or to cover up wrongdoing. The Whistleblowing Bill will introduce an Office of the Whistleblower with statutory powers to issue and enforce fines and penalties against the organisations and individuals responsible.
“A Bill to establish an independent Office of the Whistleblower to protect whistleblowers and whistleblowing in accordance with the public interest; to make provision for the Office of the Whistleblower to set, monitor and enforce standards for the management of whistleblowing cases, to provide disclosure and advice services, to direct whistleblowing investigations and to order redress of detriment suffered by whistleblowers; to create offences relating to the treatment of whistleblowers and the handling of whistleblowing cases; to repeal the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; and for connected purposes.”
| For more information about the campaign or for further information about our work please email: secretary@wbuk.org/+447860963947 |
