PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
PROTECTION OF WHISTLEBLOWERS MAKING PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES (1 March 2017)

That this House is gravely concerned by the provisional recommendations in the Law Commission's review of the Official Secrets Act and other legislation; notes the ability of whistleblowers to make disclosures in the public interest is vital for democracy, press freedom and the well-being of the public; is shocked by the proposal to extend the maximum criminal sentence for unlawful disclosures from two years to 14 years, and to make unlawful the mere acquisition and possession of confidential material; invites the Law Commission fully to consult with relevant bodies, and especially to consult the National Union of Journalists over a matter which will inevitably impact on legitimate media investigations and public interest journalism; welcomes the fact that the Government has put on record that it does not want to curtail freedom of speech or the legal rights of whistleblowers to make protected disclosures and has brought forward amendments to the Digital Economy Bill in this respect; and calls on the Government to rule out any such interference with essential liberties and freedoms including draconian jail sentences for journalists.

Sponsored by:
Helen Goodman (Labour)