Betty backs the whistle-blowers

By Paul Routledge Political Correspondent

The Speaker of the Commons, Betty Boothroyd, has overruled government moves to stamp out "whistle-blowing" among civil servants.

In a ruling that could have profound repercussions for the public services and private industry, she laid down that employees must have an unfettered right to raise "public or personal" issues with their MP.

Her decision, which followed threats of disciplinary action - including dismissal - to civil servants opposing cutbacks in social security offices, was yesterday welcomed by civil libertarians and the trade unions.

The issue was raised in the Commons by Denis MacShane, Labour MP for Rotherham, who told the Speaker that constituents concerned about the closure of the local Benefits Agency office had come to his surgery. "I was astonished when they gave me a top-level circular threatening disciplinary action or dismissal if they contacted MPs about it."

The circular, from Paul Murphy, personnel and communications director of the agency, spoke of "a spate of Press articles" based on internal DSS documents or containing quotes from civil servants expressing dissatisfaction with Benefits Agency policies. "Similar problems have arisen recently as a result of staff seeking to enlist support for their case ... by writing to politicians, pressure groups and other influential institutions," the circular said.

It described these approaches as "misguided", and added: "There should be no doubting the seriousness with which the Agency views this kind of unauthorised activity nor the high risk of disciplinary action it carries."

Mr Murphy quoted advice from the agency's chief executive, Peter Mathison, warning such actions would render any officer open to disciplinary action "and may ... lead to dismissal".

Mr MacShane told the Commons: "I believe that Peter Mathison should be made to come to the bar of this House on his knees to apologise for that threat to the right of British citizens to contact their Members of Parliament."

The Speaker replied: "I confirm that I am strongly of the view that constituents should not be prevented by their employer or anyone else ... from taking matters of public or personal concern to their Member of Parliament. The House and all its members are here to represent the people, and we cannot do that properly if people's grievances and complaints are stifled."

Mr MacShane said yesterday: "This landmark ruling puts an end to the growing practice of employers seeking to intimidate their staff by threatening dismissal if they raise workplace problems outside the firm."

Jonathan Cooper, legal director of Liberty, the civil rights group said: "We welcome Madam Speaker's ruling. In a democracy, it is vital that you have access to your MP and you are able to speak out."

The Government intends to cut back Benefit Agency offices by 25 per cent over the next three years, shedding several thousand jobs. Civil service unions are fighting the cuts. Chris Kirk, Benefits Agency secretary of the largest union, the CPSA, welcomed the ruling: "Our members should be able to raise the problems about their future with MPs, and we will certainly do so."

Peter Lilley, Secretary of State for Social Security, has been asked to withdraw the circular and any others like it.