IRVINE’S MP has brought forward a bill in Westminster that will seek to establish an independent body that would set, monitor and enforce standards on how whistleblower cases are handled.

Dr Philippa Whitford’s bill - which has received cross-party support – will also look to replace the Public Interest Disclosure Act, which the Central Ayrshire MP said was no longer fit for purpose.

Last week the Scottish Government announced the appointment of Whistleblowing Champions to health boards with the aim of creating a more honest and open workplace culture within the NHS.

Dr Sukhomoy Das was appointed as an official Whistleblowing Champion for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Dr Whitford MP said: “There is a repeated sorry experience of whistleblowers across all sectors, who instead of being welcomed and valued, find the issue they have raised increasingly swept under the carpet and find themselves isolated and under attack.

“My Private Members Bill will seek to replace the Public Interest Disclosure Act, which is simply not fit for purpose, with a stronger new law that ensures concerns raised by whistleblowers are properly investigated and acted upon, while also looking to protect whistleblowers.

“If passed, the bill would establish a Whistleblowers’ Commission Office which would set, monitor and enforce standards on how whistleblower cases are handled.”

The SNP MP added: “The Scottish Government has already been taking steps to protect whistleblowers within the NHS in Scotland, and to create a more honest and open workplace culture, by appointing Whistleblowing Champions to health boards.”