Former medical director's legal team say they 'hope that some good will follow from this case'

Payout is single largest win for a whistleblowing case for the BMA

The legal team representing the Island's former medical director say the sum awarded to her "reflects not only the career damaging treatment she was subjected to, but also the unreasonable way in which the DHSC conducted the litigation".

They have issued a statement through her union after a tribunal ruled she should be awarded £3.2m.

Dr Ranson has been awarded sums for aggravated and exemplary damages, both of which are exceptionally rare, and the total reflects the single largest win for a whistleblowing case for the BMA.

As noted by the Tribunal, these awards were made due to the DHSC’s "high handed, malicious, insulting and oppressive manner" during the course of the litigation and were "warranted for [their] oppressive, arbitrary and unconstitutional behaviour".

Tina Wisener and Kate Kapp of Doyle Clayton, who were appointed by the BMA to represent Dr Ranson, praised her "courage in raising these issues".

They added: "Whistleblowing is not about personal gain, it is about exposing unethical behaviour and reporting it, often suffering professionally and personally as a result, as Dr Ranson has. We hope that some good will follow from this case.”

The statement in full says: "The sum awarded to Dr Ranson reflects not only the career damaging treatment she was subjected to, but also the unreasonable way in which the [Isle of Man] DHSC conducted the litigation which, the Tribunal found, included more than one ‘false allegation’ about her.

"She has been awarded sums for aggravated and exemplary damages, both of which are exceptionally rare. As noted by the Tribunal, these awards were made due to the DHSC’s ‘high handed, malicious, insulting and oppressive manner’ during the course of the litigation and were ‘warranted for [their] oppressive, arbitrary and unconstitutional behaviour’.

"We praise the courage of Dr Ranson in raising these issues. Whistleblowing is not about personal gain, it is about exposing unethical behaviour and reporting it, often suffering professionally and personally as a result, as Dr Ranson has. We hope that some good will follow from this case.”

"It is the single largest win for a whistleblowing case for the BMA and the Employment and Equality Tribunal also awarded 70% of legal costs for an element of the proceedings due to the behaviours of the Manx Government. An award for costs is far from the norm and has been awarded because of the “gross misconduct” of the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care.

"The Tribunal found that the DHSC “fought tooth and nail…on a false basis to the substantial detriment of Dr Ranson and at the expense of taxpayers on the Isle of Man".