The Chair of the Public Services Commission has defended the government’s current whistleblowing framework following a strong statement from the TUC, insisting that the system is evolving in response to past failures.
Rob Callister MHK issued a statement in response to the TUC’s criticism of evidence given by the Commission to the Tynwald Select Committee examining the implementation of the Whistleblowing Policy.
Mr Callister acknowledged the seriousness of the Dr Ranson case, which continues to be cited in the debate.
“The findings of the Employment and Equality Tribunal were serious, and the impact on Dr Ranson, as well as on the public purse, is fully acknowledged,” he said.
However, the PSC Chair stressed the need to distinguish between past handling of that case and the current arrangements.
“I was not Chair of the Public Services Commission at the time of the Dr Ranson Employment and Equality Tribunal proceedings, and since that period the Isle of Man Government has strengthened its whistleblowing arrangements on two separate occasions,” Mr Callister said.
Policy
The PSC Chair pushed back against the suggestion that the Commission relies on policy alone, stating: “The Public Services Commission does not seek to ‘point to policy and walk away’.”
Mr Callister set out the burden of proof on the Tynwald committee examining the issue.
“If the Tynwald Select Committee examining the current Whistleblowing Policy genuinely believes that the policy is not working, it will need to demonstrate that through evidence in its final report.
“If such evidence cannot be shown, then the report should clearly record that fact,” he said.
He added: “What matters in 2026 is whether serious whistleblowing concerns are taken seriously, investigated properly, and whether lessons are learned and embedded.”
Mr Callister acknowledged that cultural challenges remain, noting that “too many employment disputes are being wrapped in a blanket of whistleblowing, and that must change”.