The stark assessment came during evidence from the Attorney General’s Chambers to a Tynwald select committee reviewing the effectiveness of whistleblowing procedures.
Solicitor Philip Farrar, who specialises in public and employment law, told the committee that the policy, last updated in October 2025, attempts to cover both the raising of serious issues and subsequent employment disputes, which could muddle its purpose.
“The policy creates confusion that… there’s a belief that I raise a complaint, I take it on this under this policy, and some Flying Squad is going to come in,” Farrar said.
The committee, chaired by Julie Edge MHK, is investigating the implementation of the policy amid ongoing concerns from unions and individuals that whistleblowers are left unprotected and uninformed.
Farrar emphasised a crucial legal distinction often missed: reporting a potential wrongdoing is not the same as claiming victimisation for doing so.
“To be a whistleblower, you have to have already provided the information,” he said, clarifying that legal protection is triggered by suffering a “detriment” afterwards.
He also argued that expecting an external panel to judge every concern was unworkable.
Source: Manx News, 30 January 2026
