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Josie Stewart, a former civil servant at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has won her case for unfair dismissal after blowing the whistle on the UK government's handling of the Afghan evacuation in August 2021. An employment tribunal ruled unanimously that her dismissal was unlawful, following her disclosure to the BBC regarding the prioritization of staff from the Nowzad animal charity over more deserving cases for evacuation.
Stewart, who lost her job after her security clearance was revoked, argued that her actions were in the public interest, particularly as they related to the safety of vulnerable individuals facing Taliban retribution. The tribunal emphasized that employing a process which ignored her argument was sufficient to declare the dismissal unfair. The judgment marks a significant precedent, affirming the protection of civil servants who make disclosures to the media.
Cathy James, Stewart’s solicitor, hailed the ruling as a "vindication" for her client and a vital win for civil servants and democracy, underscoring the importance of moral courage in public service.