Barrister to be tasked with strengthening rights to safeguard women who report workplace harassment
A leading barrister and ex-wife of Boris Johnson is set to be appointed as Labour’s new “whistleblowing tsar”, offering advice on proposed protections for women against workplace harassment.
Marina Wheeler KC will help the party with its plans to strengthen employment rights to safeguard women from abusive colleagues, the Independent reported.
Wheeler is the second high-profile woman from outside party politics to join Keir Starmer’s team. Former civil servant Sue Gray, whose report into lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street during Johnson’s tenure contributed to his downfall, is now Labour’s chief of staff.
The party reportedly plans to give women subjected to harassment at work “whistleblower” status to encourage them to come forward with complaints without fear of being penalised for speaking out.
Labour would also seek to give women who live with their partners the same rights, including over property, as married women should their relationship end.
Wheeler, who is an expert in employment law, would advise the party on its proposed reforms.
She told the newspaper it would be a “privilege” to help Labour protect women from abusive colleagues saying: “[Women in the workplace] too often suffer sexual harassment and assault and they pay a heavy price for speaking out. Knowing this, and to keep their jobs, they suffer in silence.”
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