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I have to confess that, had she come to me for advice, I would have advised her that, having blown the whistle, she should expect a lesser punishment than a strike off. I am surprised that the SRA and SDT have not, between them, had the foresight to consider the impact that this judgement and the reporting of it will have on individuals in similar positions - a) continue in your job, perhaps making a lot of money and RISK being caught and struck off or b) blow the whistle and virtually ensure that you are. I think, for many junior members of staff who are typically younger and less financially secure, the choice will not fall naturally in the way the public or the profession would desire.

Her conduct was dishonest and prolonged which has to be recognised and acknowledged. I do not believe that relying on instructions from senior partners and supervisors does absolve responsibility of a trainee. But I do not believe that this punishment is reflective of her involvement or of the way in which a whistle blower should be treated. I cannot help but feel that, had she been represented, the impact on the manner in which whistle blowing is perceived could have been presented more forcibly and would have swayed the tribunal to a lesser punishment.

Irrespective of the reasons for the judgement itself, which many will not take the time to read, the headlines alone do the damage.