The UK government insists on keeping the full hearing private and away from public eyes.
Josie Stewart, the senior official who was fired from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) for being the whistleblower that outlined the UK's failure in handling Afghanistan's withdrawal, appealed her dismissal decision, but the government insists on the privacy of the trial.
In May 2022, Stewart gave the BBC an anonymous interview where she revealed "systemic failures of leadership, planning, and preparation." This resulted in her dismissal.
According to The Guardian, Stewart decided to consider "her treatment to employment tribunal to test legal protections for whistleblowers amid concerns there is insufficient protection for civil servants who disclose sensitive information in the public interest."
Stewart also expressed her frustration regarding the UK government's attempt to "ensure" the legal proceedings remain private citing national security grounds under rule 94 of the employment tribunal rules.
While Stewart's hearing is set for September 2023, the senior official and her designated lawyers attended a preliminary hearing before Judge Andrew Glennie.
The preliminary hearing, which was held in private, was meant to make a decision on whether the complete hearing would be held publicly or in private.
Significantly, The Guardian revealed that its reporter was banned from entry to the preliminary hearing. This information was later corroborated by Stewart...
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