(CMR) The Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson, has issued a warning to civil servants that there could be repercussions for leaking confidential government documents to outside persons.
In a statement issued via the government's internal intranet system on August 8, 2019, civil servants were cautioned that they could be risking their careers by leaking privileged information.
The message makes reference to the DG being “concerned to read in the media this week the allegation that people working in government” may have leaked information. Sources indicate that the article in question was one that appeared in Cayman News Service in which Johann Moxam made reference to his sources.
The article stated:
Moxam said that much of the information that he has managed to reveal to the public was leaked “from inside their shop” by people working in government or even the “party faithful”, as many people no longer trust the current administration.
Moxam is a member of the Cayman Port Referendum (CPR) group that has advocated for a people initiative referendum for the cruise berthing facility. Moxam has claimed to have insider information on the project from the onset.
The implication appears to be that persons from the inside have provided Moxam with much of the information and documents he has received in relation to the cruise berthing project and port expansion.
However, Manderson's warning does admit that “although civil servants are not specifically cited as the source” he was issuing a precautionary warning and reminding them of their obligation under the Public Service Code of Conduct
In fact, Moxam appears to imply that the leaks are political in nature and not civil servants when he shares that:
“It is senior party affiliates who have become disillusioned with the government because of a lot of major decisions and the lack of consultation on them that are willing to lift the lid on what they think is wrong,”
Moxam shared these sentiments with CNS
Cayman Marl Road reached out to the Office of the Ombudsmen to clarify whether civil servants would receive whistleblowing protection in these circumstances. Sandy Hermiston, the Ombudsmen, clarifies that while whistleblowers have legislative protections certain criteria must be met. In addition, the act of whistleblowing is only protected when done via her office or an attorney. So leaks to third parties like Moxam would not safeguard them as whistleblowers.
CMR received the information about the warning and then reached out to Manderson for confirmation. Sources have shared with CMR that the government is actively seeking to find Moxam's sources and action will be taken against them.
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