A policy to allow confidential payments to settle employment disputes has not been used in whistleblowing cases, Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan told the House of Keys this week.

Julie Edge (LibVannin, Onchan) raised the issue, asking whether a financial directive - FD30 - that concerned the making of ex gratia payments to settle employment disputes had ever been used in whistleblowing cases.

The minister said it had not.

Mr Cannan added: ’The whistleblowing policy is a framework which enables staff members to report any suspicions of wrongdoing and for those concerns to be addressed in an appropriate manner.

’The policy makes it clear that those who blow the whistle can speak out without fear of victimisation, discrimination or disadvantage, and that they will be protected against any action where a disclosure has been made in good faith.

’The policy in relation to the payment of confidential and ex gratia payments under FD30 is made solely in connection with agreements to settle employment disputes concerning officers.’

It is understood that a compromise agreement or court settlement in an employment dispute would not sign away a person’s right to blow the whistle, because any attempt to prevent protected disclosures was legally unenforceable under the Employment Act 2006.