Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about whistleblowing. It is appropriate for the complainant to escalate any concerns to the relevant prescribed body.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the outcome of a Council whistleblowing investigation. He said the Council had discriminated against him. He wants the Council held responsible for its actions.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:

• there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council completed a whistleblowing investigation. The Council’s whistleblowing policy sets out how Mr X can escalate his concerns if he is unhappy with its findings. This includes contacting its External Auditor, or the appropriate prescribed body with his concerns. Prescribed bodies have oversight and regulatory functions relating to specefic service sectors. The Ombudsman is not a prescribed body.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he can escalate his concerns to the relevant prescribed body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman