Phil Vardy exposed the fraudulent research published by Dr William McBride

Phil Vardy

Phil Vardy was immediately fired in retribution by Dr William McBride when Phil questioned him about fraudulent, so called scientific, research published by McBride. Then Phil found it hard to find work. Naturally his partner was taken by surprise when her life, through no fault of her own, was thrown into turmoil in an instant. 

Dr Norman Swan, a medical journalist, helped Phil through the difficult process of exposing the fraud publicly, through the ABC. Finally after more than 11 years Phil was getting on with his life.

Phil's story illustrates how blowing the whistle is related to reprisals, bullying and mobbing, all methods which the corrupt use to hurt or discredit someone who blows, or might blow, the whistle on their malfeasance. Sometimes the person bullied doesn't realize that what they have done as part of their job is to blow the whistle. (In Phil's case it was obvious, though the danger was not fully appreciated at first).

For those faced with a similar dilemma there are alternatives to direct confrontation. For example anonymous whistleblowing.

Whistleblowing Resources.

The ABC Australian Story on Phil Vardy.

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Disgraced William McBride