Dr Helen Shallow joined the NMC Council in July 2017 and resigned five months later in  December 2017.

An article appeared in the Nursing Times in June last year, where the author reflected on this resignation with a shocking insight into the regulator's culture.

"...she said she could no longer continue working for the NMC, because she felt her professional opinion was not being listened to and she had been “in effect silenced”.

Dr Shallow also said she felt registrants were seen virtually as “the enemy” by the NMC, and “were somehow inherently not to be trusted or a potential adversary who must be kept in check at all times”.

In her letter, she claimed a senior colleague told her that “engagement made the public feel involved, made the NMC look good” but would “probably not” make a difference to the result.

Speaking to Nursing Times, she said: “To me, it seemed like we had an end point even though we were going through this lengthy and hugely expensive process.

She said: “The amount of travelling, hotels, overnight stays here, there and everywhere in the name of consultation can be justified if you believe it is genuine, but I would cast a question mark over that..."

The APPG defines a Whistleblower as: "a person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public". These individuals are vulnerable to retaliation for their actions and whilst there are laws in place purposed to protect them, sometimes the laws are not  adequate or effective in their practical application."

Whistleblowers are being encouraged to feedback to the APPG on any evidence around regulators or unions not acting on information or supporting those who blow the whistle.

Will the APPG consider Dr Shallow's letter of resignation as Whistleblowing evidence?