HS2 whistleblower wins £320k tribunal award – what this means for you

A recent employment tribunal has highlighted the risks whistleblowers face, and the responsibilities organisations have to protect them. Stephen Cresswell, a former project risk manager practitioner on the HS2 railway project has been awarded nearly £320,000 after it was found that he was not given adequate protection when raising serious concerns about cost misrepresentation within HS2.

The case serves as a reminder of the legal obligations employers face under whistleblowing law, and more importantly, the personal toll whistleblowing can have on those who make disclosures.

What happened?

Mr Cresswell, whose contract was not renewed in 2022, alleged that HS2 had actively misrepresented project costs and alleged that figures were manipulated in an attempt to deceive politicians. Despite an internal investigation finding no evidence of fraud, HS2 admitted that his concerns were legitimate and that cultural and behavioural issues existed around cost estimating. Crucially, HS2 admitted it had failed to provide Cresswell with appropriate whistleblower protections which led to the substantial tribunal award.

Why this case matters...

This outcome highlights key legal and ethical issues for employers:

• Whistleblowers are legally protected and retaliation, even in the form of non-renewal of a contract, can result in serious consequences.

• A failure to act on legitimate concerns or offer a safe reporting environment can expose employers to legal liability as well as public scrutiny.

How can we help?

At Lawson West, we specialise in employment law and whistleblowing cases, offering strategic advice. If you have raised concerns at work and experienced retaliation, or you are unsure of your rights, we can help you assess whether you are protected under whistleblower legislation. We can guide you through every step of the process, from making a protected disclosure to preparing a tribunal claim and to negotiating settlements. If you believe that you have been subjected to detriment due to making a protected disclosure, do not hesitate to contact Lawson West Solicitors.

Please contact us on telephone 0116 212 1000 or 01858 445 480, alternatively complete the free Contact Us form and we will get in touch as soon as possible.

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