Firstly, thank you so much for your  previous support. 

I couldn't update you until now as I had to wait six months for a decision which has devastated me.  I will keep this really simple.
 
I lost my Employment Tribunal Case in June 2021.  The Judge, who I believe ignored masses of my evidence, has just sanctioned a costs order of £40,000. I am appealing both the Judgments.

The best way to understand the way I believe I have been persecuted is to read the article below.

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/10/sellafield-nuclear-homophobia-racism-sexism/

Can You Help Please?

I believe that my case has huge issues for public safety.  That is why I refused to agree to settlement as I was determined to ensure that their actions were subject to scrutiny.  Even though this mean meant more grinding stress going through a three week trial in which my character and competence were repeatedly attacked. A court of law should be a place of justice; instead, it felt like a place of abuse. 

FUNDING
I need to raise £20k to fund my Appeal. My legal costs to date have already exceeded £100,000.  A Freedom of Information request revealed that they spent £600k of taxpayers’ money defending this case. I received no state support. The inequality of resources is grotesque and offensive. My supporters are my only hope to redress the huge imbalance.

I have put everything on the line to speak out in support of others and in support of the public interest. It is critical that I am not beaten back due to lack of funds. After all, when they are finished with me: Who's next? What's next?

As we can see from the horrendous events unfolding in Ukraine, a nuclear plant poses massive risks to us all. The consequences, in my opinion, of a serious accident, theft, sabotage, terrorism could be catastrophic. A healthy culture does not bully and harass its workers and it does not crush people who speak out.

https://www.ft.com/content/3d6d9982-92d4-434f-8bcb-907642de6542

I am really proud that the FT is writing about the lack of support for whistleblowers and the truly hideous impact it has on those who just try to do the right thing by others.

My case is due to heard on 14 June at Leeds ET.  Two weeks ago, the governing body of the NDA applied at the 11th hour (again)  to have  my claim against them struck out.  I am in the midst of preparing for trial and we are about to exchange witnesses statements so this latest move by the NDA has caused me immense extra pressure when I am unrepresented.  The  NDA submitted this application one week after I disclosed a report from my GP and a psychiatrist outlining the toll  2.5 years of litigation has taken on my mental health.

This is why I am fighting this case because I refuse to be browbeaten and I will fight for justice.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Please share widely on your social media.

Alison

I am featured on the BBC News today exposing an unsafe culture and practices Sellafield - Europe's most dangerous nuclear plant. I am one of many whistleblowers who spoke to the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56011909

I am an HR and Diversity Consultant. I  repeatedly spoke out about endemic racism and sexism and bullying at Europe's most dangerous nuclear plant. 

In response, Sellafield's HR Director instantly dismissed me.

I appealed to the governing body, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, to allow me to meet with the Board and hear my concerns. They refused. Instead they threatened me with costs. And then they tried to shut down  this crowdfunding site.

I will not let them stop me and suppress the issues but I need your support.

Please Help to Support this Vital Case

After nearly 2.5 years of battling these institutions, I need an injection of help. I can't keep doing this on my own as I have already spent over 70k on legal fees.

There is a danger that if I do not get enough legal firepower then critical issues at a nuclear plant will be brushed under the carpet. 

As the BBC reports today, employees are too scared to speak out which is a massive safety risk to us all. For example, the Sellafield Staff Survey revealed that only 11% of staff strongly agreed that they could speak out without fear of reprisals – this is a terrifying statistic on a nuclear plan when openness should be a necessity. To be clear, a major incident would be catastrophic for the UK, our personal safety and for the environment.

Please also share this case and this crowdfunding site on your social media.

I will never find the words to convey my gratitude to the kindness of strangers (and friends) who are coming forward to help me pursue a case of utmost public importance. 

I am lucky enough to have recently received the incredible support of Dr Chris Day, who is a very high profile NHS whistleblower (and someone who has inspired me hugely).

Please, please do spread the word re my crowdfunding website as every little helps. Whistleblowers receive no support from the government. Like Dr Day, I have been subject to cost threats and other tactics which I have found very intimidating.

And in a move which has shocked my supporters to the core, the governing body, the NDA, took legal advice to see if they could shut down this page - the only means of financial support I have to pursue this case.

Please see an extract of the email below. As you will see, the entire Board and Executive were informed of this plan.

I find the comments prepared for the press deeply ironic in light of their actions towards me.

I am now representing myself until I can raise some more funds (having already spent over £60k already on legal fees).
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My main three week hearing is listed for June 2021 and I need to raise more funds to obtain legal representation.

I spoke out – and I will continue to speak out – about the issues at Sellafield because it is Europe's most dangerous nuclear site and I am profoundly concerned about the problems I unearthed.

Thank you,

Alison
Tel: +44 7932 040080

NB One day, if I am ever in a position to do so, I will repay this kindness by helping out other whistleblowers; the current situation in the UK re the lack of support for whistleblowers is utterly shocking. In the meantime, thank you so much for your interest and support. When you are an isolated whistleblower, fighting huge institutions, the support of others is hugely important.

Dear All,

Many of you, who have kindly donated to my crowdfunding page, have contacted me over the previous months asking for an update on my whistleblowing case against Sellafield and the NDA.  I have been encouraged and sustained by the number of current and former employees who have been in touch to offer me their support. This case has been ongoing since December 2018 and the hearing on 7th July marks a significant landmark in this litigation.

In brief, I have been granted a one day hearing to consider if the defences of Sellafield and the NDA should be struck out on the basis that I consider the Respondents have behaved vexatiously and unreasonably throughout this litigation. As of February, I have been representing myself after the costs became too prohibitive (having exceeded 50k), although I have appointed a barrister, Mr Chris Milsom of Cloisters Chambers, to represent me on the 7th July.

The one day strike out hearing will be held via video conferencing. In response to those  who have asked it if is possible to attend this hearing remotely, I can confirm that the Manchester Employment Tribunal has advised that the hearing is public and members of the public can dial in and observe the hearing.

Further information regards this can be obtained from the Tribunal directly.

Manchester Employment Tribunal Contact Details

Tel: 0161 833 6100

Or if calling from Norway: 0044 161 833 6100

Email: [email protected]

Please mark all requests to attend/observe for the attention of Mr John Dunphy, who I understand is taking a record of those who wish to observe the proceedings and can provide further details.

I will update this site again once the outcome of the hearing is known.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Alison

Tel: +44 7932 040080

Thank you so much for helping me reach my 10k target yesterday.

I want to thank all of you who have so generously supported this cause. Many of you I know and many are unknown to me and it means so much to know that friends and strangers believe in this case and are supporting it.

As I hope I have managed to convey,  this case is about getting justice. It is about speaking out for the employees who work there, for the wider public interest and for the right to speak up and not be victimised. Your support will help me to speak up and have a voice for all these key issues.

This case is also about ensuring that leaders are held to account for their actions and inaction - not in a vindictive way but so that lessons can be learned for current and future employees. 

I am determined to keep going and press ahead and seek justice. Your support lifts me and encourages me more than words can convey.

So a simple but very heartfelt  "Thank You" from me.  

Alison  

Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge to my campaign for justice.  Many of you I have been able to thank in person, but some of you have chosen to remain anonymous on the site but I want you ALL to know how much your support means.

I can see that some of you would like to contact me and so I am listing my details below:

Tel: 07932 040080.

Email:  [email protected]

Please contact me directly via these numbers.  I will maintain all confidentiality and I would like the chance to thank you for your support.

Thank you again,

Alison

Thank you to all of you who have donated and looked at this site. Please continue to share this page. It is of vital importance that the message gets out to as many people as possible.

We wanted  the public to know that Alison's friends are backing her.  We are a diverse a group of Norwegians, Irish and English friends supporting our friend, who we believe has been treated in the most disgraceful manner for speaking out against the abuse of employees at Sellafield

Dr Ian McDermott
Dr Frances Atkins
Professor Barrett
Professor Elliott
Reverend Jan Terje Christoffersen (amongst others)

When Alison's contract was abruptly terminated by Sellafield in October 2018, HR leaders alleged it was for unforeseen “budgetary issues.," then proceeded to award a contract to PA Consulting for 4.5 million pounds for services which included diversity consulting - the work Alison was contracted to deliver.

When Sellafield became aware that Alison was taking action against them for detriment and victimisation under whistleblowing legislation,  Sellafield is now alleging there were issues with her “manner and conduct”.   There is not a shred of written evidence to support this claim. Alison received nothing but glowing praise for the work she carried out at Sellafield and the NDA, the parent body.

Alison is determined not be silenced or intimidated, despite the stress this is causing her (she ended up in hospital with a suspected heart attack and is still undergoing further tests).

 
The fight is unfair with the odds hugely stacked against an individual

Sellafield Ltd and their parent body, the NDA, have access to the public purse.
Alison has to fund all the costs herself; she has already spent thousands to lodge a claim in the Employment Tribunal.  Any donation you make will go directly to her solicitors, Leigh Day, to make sure this case progresses to court and the issues are scrutinised in court. 

Please support Alison so she can speak up for others.

Alison is not just fighting for herself, she is also fighting for others. Every contribution is important.

With your help, Alison hopes to make a massive difference to so many peoples’ lives. 

With such amazing support I have raised close to 50% of the initial target of £10k in the first 24 hours. 

It has given me an incredible boost to see contributions come in from Norwegian friends, colleagues and citizens as well as supporters in the UK.   It clearly demonstrates how important and far-reaching this campaign is.

Please continue to share this page with your friends, family and concerned colleagues so I can reach my  stretch target of £40,000 . There is still a long way to go but the early support means a huge amount and is very encouraging.

Thank you again & Tusen Takk

Alison