Whistleblower scandals: Our officials must be held to account

We have, inevitably but almost without noticing it, reached an extraordinarily dangerous point. 

It is not an exaggeration to argue that the legitimacy of our public administration is at stake. Neither is it an exaggeration to suggest that unless two pressing controversies are resolved quickly, openly and in a credible way the authority entrusted to State agencies will come into question.

Two important arms of the State are under investigation because of courageous whistleblowers. One set of allegations is unprecedented and chilling, the other familiar but nevertheless horrendous.