Fears abuse accusations could be lost in the post

Guidance published by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) states that accusations of abuse should be put in an envelope and sent to a postal address.

It is feared that the system, the first phase of which was introduced this month, is open to blackmail because anyone can refer anyone to be vetted.

The fact that allegations must be sent in the post has led to fears that potentially defamatory accusations could go astray, especially with a national postal strike imminent.

"I think it (postal referrals) demonstrates the loose nature of the whole system," James Panton of civil liberties group the Manifesto Club said.

"We know what the Home Office and different wings of the civil service are able to do with databases in terms of losing data. This is potentially career-threatening information being sent."

The ISA was unavailable for comment.