Help for whistleblowers after homes for votes row

Whistleblowers are set to be given extra protection after a councillor who exposed Dame Shirley Porter was charged with misconduct.

Local government minister Yvette Cooper revealed that anti-sleaze rules are to be overhauled to create a "public interest" defence for politicians who leak confidential information.

Westminster Labour councillor-Paul Dimoldenberg was one of the original whistleblowers who exposed the "homes for votes" scandal. Dame Shirley, former Tory leader of Westminster council, masterminded a scheme to sell flats intended for homeless people to potential Tory voters.

When Dame Shirley failed to pay a ?42 million surcharge, Mr Dimoldenberg revealed to the BBC that the council could have been doing much more to hunt down the cash.

Within days, investigators unearthed evidence that eventually led to Dame Shirley agreeing to pay ?12 million as a "final settlement".

But Westminster chief executive-Peter Rogers referred the matter to the new Standards Board for England, claiming the councillor had breached confidentiality rules. After 18 months of wrangling, Mr Dimoldenberg faces being disqualified or suspended from office.

The first hearing into the case will be held next week. Labour MPs used a debate in the Commons to say that he had been treated in an "appalling and shameful" way. Ms Cooper said that following the complaints, the Standards Board would carry out a " complete review" of the code of conduct for councillors.

"It will be asking specifically for views on issues such as whistleblowing, including the case for a public interest defence," the minister added.