Whistleblowers who expose corruption or rule breaking are to get full protection in south Oxfordshire.

The district council is expected to support a code of conduct which will protect them from victimisation.

The code of conduct is a spin-off from the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder and was aimed at racial problems.

But the district council is taking it a step further.

It is encouraging staff and councillors and people outside who have serious concerns about any aspect of the council's work to expose them, and promises to protect them.

Chief executive David Buckle said the policy covered matters that go against the council's standing orders.

It covers whisteblowers who speak out against a practice they believe is against the law, a miscarriage of justice and health and safety risks.