Former Australian Army lawyer David McBride’s hefty prison sentence, handed down on Tuesday, was heavily criticised by his supporters for punishing someone who acted with pure intentions to reveal criminal behaviour within Australian military ranks.

More than five and a half years is certainly a significant sentence, and the case drew international attention. CNN described him as a whistleblower, BBC as variously an Australian Army whistleblower or Australian war crimes whistleblower. Nearly all other international and domestic news outlets also used the term whistleblower.

David McBride, pictured outside the ACT Supreme Court before his sentencing on........

© The Sydney Morning Herald