Police Reform Act 2002

[F129JProtection of anonymity of whistle-blowersU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision setting out the circumstances in which the [F2Director General] is required or authorised to disclose information falling within subsection (2) (or any particular description of such information) to persons specified, or of a description specified, in the regulations.

(2)The information falling within this subsection is—

(a)the identity of a whistle-blower or information that might (whether alone or with other information) tend to reveal that identity;

(b)the nature of a concern raised by a whistle-blower.

(3)The power conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised only to the extent that the Secretary of State considers necessary for any of the permitted disclosure purposes.

(4)“The permitted disclosure purposes” are—

(a)the protection of the interests of national security;

(b)the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension of offenders;

(c)the institution or conduct of criminal proceedings;

(d)the investigation of allegations of misconduct against whistle-blowers and the taking of disciplinary proceedings or other appropriate action in relation to such allegations;

(e)investigations under Part 2 that relate to whistle-blowers;

(f)investigations under this Part;

(g)any other purpose that is for the protection of the public interest.

(5)Except as provided by regulations under subsection (1) or by any other provision of this Part, the [F2Director General] may not disclose information falling within subsection (2) unless the whistle-blower consents to the disclosure.]