The Department for the Economy has proposed extending legal protection to whistleblowers in Northern Ireland to disclose corruption and illegality to Members of Parliament (MPs).

Welcoming the proposal, Sinn Féin said whistleblowers must have full legal protections.

Elisha McCallion, Sinn Féin MP for Foyle, said: “Citizens should be encouraged and protected from persecution or fear of dismissal in exposing illegality and corruption.

“For government and public services have the full confidence of the public, transparency, honesty and openness must be at their core.”