Rui Pinto to stay under witness protection after CPES reverses decision

According to The Guardian, Rui Pinto, the whistleblower who leaked data involving Manchester City, will remain under Portugal’s witness‑protection programme for the time being after the Special Security Programmes Commission (CPES) suspended its earlier decision to end the protection.

The CPES said in a statement signed by the Ministry of Justice that Pinto had not been given sufficient notice of the grounds for terminating the programme, nor an opportunity to challenge the decision, which breaches procedural rights. Consequently, the commission will now allow him to present his case and receive risk‑assessment reports.

The reversal means Pinto can formally contest the withdrawal of his protection, and the commission is expected to reconsider the matter in light of the new submissions. The development underscores the sensitive nature of the case involving the Manchester City disclosures.

Legal experts note that the decision highlights the importance of due process in witness‑protection cases and may affect future handling of high‑profile whistleblowers in Portugal.