Performance Improvement Plan - What are my rights?

[Ray Singh]

I have been working for a government organisation since October as a Senior project manager. Its a fixed term contract which has was 6mths and now has been extended to a year.
I have picked up two long term projects that were in a mess and delivered successfully, however, the paperwork has needed lots of tidying. This was flagged at a recent internal audit, i was given a few weeks to resolve and i managed to turn one of the projects from red to green, however, one project has stayed red.

Yesterday, I was told that I will be placed onto a Performance Improvement Plan. This will start next week with a meeting with HR my line manager and the department manager - who ironically is always too busy to speak to anyone, but has found time to accept the invitation to my PIP.

My thoughts are that the PIP is only issued as i have not delivered as per my agreed objectives. Well, since I have joined 6 months ago, i have on a monthly basis requested my objectives - these have never been issued or agreed. Can they still place me on a PIP if there is no baseline?
Am i allowed to record the conversation or take a colleague in with me?

Any suggestions on what I should/shouldn’t do/say?

My colleague went through similar recently, and left at this point. I don’t have any other contracts lined up, so will have to see this through for a while at least.

Suggestions welcome as I am feeling desperately low in confidence. Some of you will recall that I have experienced similar at other companies recently which was proven to be bullying and harassment.