Former Yorkshire police commissioner who resigned following comments about Sarah Everard launches whistleblowing service
A former police commissioner is setting up a charity to encourage whistleblowing in the emergency services.
Philip Allott was elected as police and crime commissioner for York and North Yorkshire in 2021.
But he resigned from his post just five months later following a public outcry into controversial remarks he made in a radio interview about York woman Sarah Everard, who was murdered by a serving Met police officer, Wayne Couzens.
Mr Allott has now announced the founding of a whistle-blowing service exclusively for those employed, or recently employed, in blue light services in England and Wales.
Blue Light Whistleblowers will be operational from May 28, and Mr Allott said its aim is to safeguard staff who are concerned about making allegations.
Philip Allott said: “The charity recognises that the vast majority of blue light workers are hardworking, honest, decent and law-abiding citizens. However, very sadly a very tiny minority of staff have been responsible for murder, rape, theft, bullying along with coercive control, misogyny, racism and homophobia.”
“Many of the victims and those who witness some of the lower-level bad behaviours are afraid to speak out because of the fear they may not be believed by line managers or from the risk of being subsequently ostracised by work colleagues.
A phone helpline will be operational 9 – 5pm Monday to Friday and disclosures can also be made on the record, or anonymously, via the charity’s website.