Oh man, what a week. This is going to sound cheesy but I’m going to say it anyway. I’ve not known an eruption in proactive contacts from public sector staff like those I’ve seen from GMP over the course of the last 18 months, obviously triggered again this week. 1/

We always get people getting in touch from different bits of the system, of course, but the GMP story has felt different. The closest parallel I can draw is when Pennine Acute was falling over in 2016 2/ https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/pennine-acute-maternity-secret-report-12218989

It comes to mind because the GMP contacts have been remarkable - in the literal sense - in three ways: the number of them; the risk they feel they’re taking, although I should stress their identical are always safe; and the consistency of what they raise. 3/

*identities, not identical

It’s taken a lot of nerve for those people to get in touch like that. And I don’t doubt them. I also know that a lot of what’s been raised we haven’t yet covered. So to them, firstly: thankyou. And secondly I’m a lot better organised at work than at home, so I will remember /4

Please do continue to get in touch. I hope the articles I’ve written since summer 2019 (didn’t do loads on the cops before that) show that I make every effort to understand all this in the round and take stuff seriously, even though I can’t always look into stuff immediately /5

I don’t think it helps to jump to conclusions. So I didn’t. But over time, there have been consistent themes: a lack of transparency; defensiveness; big stones left unturned; scrutiny; culture; leadership. I will look at all of it more in 2021, i promise. /6

Finally, to reiterate: thanks to every cop who had to go into battle (in every sense) in 2020, as well as to all the other people at GMP who make up what it does. The organisation is in a weird place, but you know where I am if you have any thoughts. Merry Christmas