Whistle Blower
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tennessee - Smoky Mountains
Age: 55
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He's got his security clearance on his LinkedIn page - SC. I would not think that merely holding SC clearance is a reason to throw him in the slammer on remand lest he run off to the Syrians.
His LinkedIn page shows he was a trainee pilot for just a couple of years before he got chopped, and he recognizes this where he says "failed Harrier pilot".
He's got "USA NSA SECRET" on his LinkedIn page as a grade of encryption software. Two points. 1) The NSA would not thank you for publicising what you sell to them. 2). The canteen menu and phone directory are probably the only things as low as SECRET there.
None of this makes sense to me. Maybe he goes about his business differently to others, and it's gone a bit pear shaped for him. Maybe.
His LinkedIn page shows he was a trainee pilot for just a couple of years before he got chopped, and he recognizes this where he says "failed Harrier pilot".
He's got "USA NSA SECRET" on his LinkedIn page as a grade of encryption software. Two points. 1) The NSA would not thank you for publicising what you sell to them. 2). The canteen menu and phone directory are probably the only things as low as SECRET there.
None of this makes sense to me. Maybe he goes about his business differently to others, and it's gone a bit pear shaped for him. Maybe.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Banished (twice) to the pointless forest
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From LinkedIn
I suspect that Private Eye might be the cause of the Walt aspect of how this reads. His flying "career" amounts to about 15 weeks, and a chunk of that was xmas/new year stand down.
From Private Eye
Nobody with this level of detail on Linked in would describe themselves to a journalist as a Squablin Bleeder when it is so easy to get caught, surely?
I do enjoy reading Private Eye and I am disappointed in what looks like a poorly researched article.
As for the original claims, I have some experience with MOD Fraud investigations, and they do take some time. The very nature of his allegation might have been enough to identify him as the source. Not to mention the fact that he had already discussed it outwith the confidential system.
General Duties / Pilot - Permanent Commission
Royal Air Force
March 1980 – June 1982 (2 years 4 months)UK and where ever I was sent
Commissioned on 15 Oct 81 after 2 goes at RAF Cranwell. Finally got through on 54 IOTC.
Held at No 1 Sqn, RAF Wittering. No 1 Sqn CO was Wg Cdr Peter Squires.
Joined No 55 BFTC at No 1 BFTS, RAF Linton on Ouse on 1 Dec 81.
It was better than working for a living but did not pay a living wage. Got in trouble with money.
Last flight from RAF Elvington, the RLG to No 1 BFTS was on 18 Mar 82.
Sacked in Jun 82 without compension, support or follow up. Charming!
Well, what do you expect from a bunch of RAF ******. Well, I did expect a little help to return to civy street - and I got absolutely no help what so ever.
So I picked myself up, dusted myself off and marched away - to a different beat.
The end.
Royal Air Force
March 1980 – June 1982 (2 years 4 months)UK and where ever I was sent
Commissioned on 15 Oct 81 after 2 goes at RAF Cranwell. Finally got through on 54 IOTC.
Held at No 1 Sqn, RAF Wittering. No 1 Sqn CO was Wg Cdr Peter Squires.
Joined No 55 BFTC at No 1 BFTS, RAF Linton on Ouse on 1 Dec 81.
It was better than working for a living but did not pay a living wage. Got in trouble with money.
Last flight from RAF Elvington, the RLG to No 1 BFTS was on 18 Mar 82.
Sacked in Jun 82 without compension, support or follow up. Charming!
Well, what do you expect from a bunch of RAF ******. Well, I did expect a little help to return to civy street - and I got absolutely no help what so ever.
So I picked myself up, dusted myself off and marched away - to a different beat.
The end.
I suspect that Private Eye might be the cause of the Walt aspect of how this reads. His flying "career" amounts to about 15 weeks, and a chunk of that was xmas/new year stand down.
From Private Eye
“THE Ministry of Defence has a zero tolerance approach to fraud,” boasts the MoD in rules designed to protect whistle blowers. “Reports are treated in strict confidence and all whistle blowers are fully protected.”
Simon Bunce, a former RAF squadron leader, may beg to differ.
After 20 years’ distinguished service he has learnt to his cost that making disclosures to the MoD’s supposedly independent fraudbusters in the Defence Irregularity Reporting Cell (aka DIRC) is anything but confidential.
Bunce was promoted from “fast jets”, Harriers at No 1 (F) Squadron, to pilot a fast desk at an army base in Wiltshire, while working on classified projects for, among others, GCHQ. It was when working on a “Purple Desk” (MoD-speak for a combined army, navy and air force project) that he noticed an “irregularity” on Project Vanguard.
Simon Bunce, a former RAF squadron leader, may beg to differ.
After 20 years’ distinguished service he has learnt to his cost that making disclosures to the MoD’s supposedly independent fraudbusters in the Defence Irregularity Reporting Cell (aka DIRC) is anything but confidential.
Bunce was promoted from “fast jets”, Harriers at No 1 (F) Squadron, to pilot a fast desk at an army base in Wiltshire, while working on classified projects for, among others, GCHQ. It was when working on a “Purple Desk” (MoD-speak for a combined army, navy and air force project) that he noticed an “irregularity” on Project Vanguard.
Nobody with this level of detail on Linked in would describe themselves to a journalist as a Squablin Bleeder when it is so easy to get caught, surely?
I do enjoy reading Private Eye and I am disappointed in what looks like a poorly researched article.
As for the original claims, I have some experience with MOD Fraud investigations, and they do take some time. The very nature of his allegation might have been enough to identify him as the source. Not to mention the fact that he had already discussed it outwith the confidential system.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: UK East Anglia
Age: 66
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Shock of my life: I checked this bloke up on LinkedIn. It would appear three of my contacts can introduce me to him. (an RAF Engineering Officer, an Ex Service recruiter and a chap who runs a parachute equipment company in Florida)
Airpolice,
I, too, like Private Eye, but where on Earth would they have got the idea or created the story that he'd been on 1 Sqn, flown Harriers, had been a Sqn Ldr, etc...unless he had provided it to the Journalist?
He was filling an SO2 role, it seems, as a civilian. SO2 = Sqn Ldr (sort of), but there is a clear disconnect in this story and his Linked-In page. However, like a lot of SP, my Linked-In page is rather sparse, having been advised to purge it in preparation for my current posts. But I agree, the Eye should have investigated this more deeply.
I, too, like Private Eye, but where on Earth would they have got the idea or created the story that he'd been on 1 Sqn, flown Harriers, had been a Sqn Ldr, etc...unless he had provided it to the Journalist?
He was filling an SO2 role, it seems, as a civilian. SO2 = Sqn Ldr (sort of), but there is a clear disconnect in this story and his Linked-In page. However, like a lot of SP, my Linked-In page is rather sparse, having been advised to purge it in preparation for my current posts. But I agree, the Eye should have investigated this more deeply.
Walt or no Walt, surely the issue here is the allegations that he makes? Nobody seems to doubt that he was an SO2 who reported financial "anomalies" to the appropriate authority, only to have his world fall apart thereafter.
He may well have form, but then so does the MOD, witness tucumseh's post. This is our money that he claims was being illegally misappropriated. Shouldn't we give some thought to that before resuming the ritual killing of the messenger?
As to linkedin, facebook, and twitter, include me out as someone once said.
He may well have form, but then so does the MOD, witness tucumseh's post. This is our money that he claims was being illegally misappropriated. Shouldn't we give some thought to that before resuming the ritual killing of the messenger?
As to linkedin, facebook, and twitter, include me out as someone once said.
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Alas, it is all true
Dear dctyke
I am the MOD Whistle Blower.
On November 20, 2012, to my Security Clearance Vetting Officer, I did whistle blow (up to) ten thousand, six hundred millions pounds of Government Contractor fraud, identifying the Single Controlling Authority (SCA) and their (three) helpers. My reports to the DIRC (Defence Irregularity Reporting Cell) at HQ MOD Police, Weatherfield, Essex were called "Job's for the boy's in the Army".
The SCA was my Team Leader (at MOD).
MOD Police policy is "once the whistle blower is identified, refer them to the 'Chain of Command' for 'Management Guidance'".
My TL, when informed, sacked me on the spot (February 11, 2013).
Effective Date of Termination - Bank Holiday, Monday, May 27, 2013.
I am not sure where the expression 'Level 5' clearance came from.
I was DV - with an number of additional 'read ins' for individual 'projects'. I am not going to say anymore about that.
If anyone has any doubts as to what happened to me, perhaps you would like to come and see my evidence before you stand in judgement over me.
Thank you.
Kindest Regards
Crab558
(aka - the MOD Whistle Blower - in person)
I am the MOD Whistle Blower.
On November 20, 2012, to my Security Clearance Vetting Officer, I did whistle blow (up to) ten thousand, six hundred millions pounds of Government Contractor fraud, identifying the Single Controlling Authority (SCA) and their (three) helpers. My reports to the DIRC (Defence Irregularity Reporting Cell) at HQ MOD Police, Weatherfield, Essex were called "Job's for the boy's in the Army".
The SCA was my Team Leader (at MOD).
MOD Police policy is "once the whistle blower is identified, refer them to the 'Chain of Command' for 'Management Guidance'".
My TL, when informed, sacked me on the spot (February 11, 2013).
Effective Date of Termination - Bank Holiday, Monday, May 27, 2013.
I am not sure where the expression 'Level 5' clearance came from.
I was DV - with an number of additional 'read ins' for individual 'projects'. I am not going to say anymore about that.
If anyone has any doubts as to what happened to me, perhaps you would like to come and see my evidence before you stand in judgement over me.
Thank you.
Kindest Regards
Crab558
(aka - the MOD Whistle Blower - in person)
Crab558,
Thanks for responding. I think we are all intrigued by this case (and as I mentioned, I was wronged by the MOD some 6 years ago now). A few clarifications, if I may:
Thanks for responding. I think we are all intrigued by this case (and as I mentioned, I was wronged by the MOD some 6 years ago now). A few clarifications, if I may:
- Who referred to your reports at MDP HQ as "Job's for the boy's in the Army"?
- Do you have a reference for the MDP policy "MOD Police policy is "once the whistle blower is identified, refer them to the 'Chain of Command' for 'Management Guidance'"
- Where did all this Harrier/1 Sqn Malarky come from? Was this misreporting in the Eye?
- Were you serving at the time your team elader sacked you 'on the spot'?
- What were the grounds from your termination of employment?
- Have you submitted your evidence to MDP or civilian police?
- HAve you spoken to your MP about this matter?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
[Quote ten thousand, six hundred millions pounds[/quite]
Is this ten thousand frauds of six hundred millions?
Or,
£10,600,000,000 or £10.6Bn?
Is this ten thousand frauds of six hundred millions?
Or,
£10,600,000,000 or £10.6Bn?
ten thousand, six hundred millions pounds
Difficult to think of an area in MoD controlled by one man and 3 helpers that is responsible for £600M (assuming that is the intended figure). Unless you're speaking of the IAB.
However, it is possible, because the mandated process of "Requirement Scrutiny" (whereby, ultimately, an individual makes a written declaration to the effect an agreed price is "fair and reasonable", and signs it) is serially abused. Knowingly making a false written declaration is Fraud by Misrepresentation; as I said earlier, this is not an offence in MoD, but it is an offence to refuse an order to commit that fraud.
I do know of one £4Bn Army programme that was kicked off with such a statement, but that was rank incompetence rather than a conscious act and ignored when it reached AbbeyWood. The real problem is that mistakes are always uncovered by those who understand, who tend to be much lower grades. By definition you are exposing incompetence at the highest level, so many decide not to say anything and just go ahead and waste the money. (And, hence, the later perceived need to make "savings at the expense of safety", rather than get to the root).
I do not like the term "whistleblower". It has negative connotations, but reporting such fraud is a legal obligation. I do however recognise the general attitude described, although cannot believe a Team Leader has the authority to dismiss on the spot. I certainly didn't and I never knew anyone who did. But I have certainly come across many who threaten such things, and learned very early that a mic and recorder planted firmly on the desk works wonders. It is why I am so confident about the above ruling. So your story doesn't surprise me.
However, it is possible, because the mandated process of "Requirement Scrutiny" (whereby, ultimately, an individual makes a written declaration to the effect an agreed price is "fair and reasonable", and signs it) is serially abused. Knowingly making a false written declaration is Fraud by Misrepresentation; as I said earlier, this is not an offence in MoD, but it is an offence to refuse an order to commit that fraud.
I do know of one £4Bn Army programme that was kicked off with such a statement, but that was rank incompetence rather than a conscious act and ignored when it reached AbbeyWood. The real problem is that mistakes are always uncovered by those who understand, who tend to be much lower grades. By definition you are exposing incompetence at the highest level, so many decide not to say anything and just go ahead and waste the money. (And, hence, the later perceived need to make "savings at the expense of safety", rather than get to the root).
I do not like the term "whistleblower". It has negative connotations, but reporting such fraud is a legal obligation. I do however recognise the general attitude described, although cannot believe a Team Leader has the authority to dismiss on the spot. I certainly didn't and I never knew anyone who did. But I have certainly come across many who threaten such things, and learned very early that a mic and recorder planted firmly on the desk works wonders. It is why I am so confident about the above ruling. So your story doesn't surprise me.
Commissioned on 15 Oct 81 after 2 goes at RAF Cranwell. Finally got through on 54 IOTC.
The dates seem accurate. My IOT, 50, graduated in Apr 81. I seem to remember a guy on our junior course (which would have been 55 BFT, 1 Sqn) at Linton being dragged off to Wroughton, after some fraud involving a VW Scirocco.
Intriguing, maybe they reset the numbering around then (RAF Henlow closure related perhaps) - seems a bit of a stretch squeezing 47 courses in 4 years.....
