Oil firm whistleblower trapped in Croation holiday hell

In other circumstances, Jonathan Taylor would be living the dream. Who could say no to an extended stay in the ancient city of Dubrovnik, without the hordes of tourists who normally interfere with the experience?

But for the British lawyer-turned-whistleblower, his time on the Croatian coast is more of a Kafkaesque nightmare. He was arrested on arrival in July - and has been stuck in Dubrovnik ever since, while the few other tourists who made it to the city this summer are long gone.

My Comment; With adequate protections in place, Whistleblowers could and should play a significant role in holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for its corrupt actions. The reality however is that Whistleblowing laws around the world, including here in the UK, are woefully inadequate. Jonathan Taylor blew the whistle on SBM Offshore - a Dutch multinational company that provides services to the offshore oil and gas industry - providing evidence about bribes being offered to government officials in return for lucrative contracts. Instead of being protected by the transnational Whistleblowing regulations that we need, he has been ‘hung out to dry’ - left to the mercy of extradition authorities and powerful vested interests. The Whistleblowing charity Protect are campaigning on Mr Taylor’s case and for wider law reform in this area. This is urgently needed.