Letter: All informers now
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: This is a very dark day. Two social care colleagues, Ruth Wyner and John Brock, of Wintercomfort in Cambridge, have begun long prison sentences. Why? They were presumed unwilling to co-operate fully with the police to combat a drugs problem at their day centre for the homeless ("Jailing of charity workers may force shelters to turn away drug suspects", 18 December).
Thousands of social workers like myself working with homeless people have been in effect criminalised and the confidentiality rules of professional bodies like the British Association of Social Workers destroyed. We are all made coppers' narks overnight at the beginning of a police state.
DAVID BRANDON
Professor in Community Care
Anglia Polytechnic University
Chelmsford
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments