The Conservatives are planning to restrict Freedom of Information requests. Despite an existing framework for charging costlier requests, a report by Newsnight reveals the Conservatives are considering introducing a “range of tarrifs” for access to documents by journalists, campaigners and members of the public. After Michael Gove was caught using a secret email account with the […]
In a move preparing the ground for an assault on the public’s information rights, a survey conducted by the Ministry of Justice has revealed significant opposition to Freedom of Information legislation from Whitehall civil servants. Apparently Sir Humphrey doesn’t thinks plebians should pay money to access information “like expenses, crime statistics and so on”. Could transparency be going the […]
Prince Charles has lost a three-year legal battle against an environmental activist, with judges ruling the Duchy of Cornwall is a “public authority” which must answer requests under freedom of information legislation. The case could open the floodgates for scrutiny of the Prince’s £700m property empire. With an absolute exemption from the Freedom of Information […]
Results of an internal investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office have revealed that several government departments are failing on their legal transparency obligations, with one freedom of information request to the Home Office delayed by 1,241 days – more than three years. The investigation, details of which have been obtained by Scrapbook, was triggered as a result […]
It was with some amusement in July that Scrapbook reported a pronouncement from the Information Commissioner that Freedom of Information requests can be submitted by Twitter. The edict means that every public authority using the service is now obligated to monitor their accounts for statutory requests under the 2000 Act. Not seeming the most pragmatic interpretation of the […]
Has the Information Commissioner Christopher Graham been spending too much time with Steve Hilton? In an utterly foolhardy move, the regulator of Freedom of Information legislation has decided that requests for data held by public bodies can be sent via Twitter. Under the Commissioner’s interpretation of the 2000 Act, Downing Street are, bizarrely enough, obligated […]
Following revelations that taxpayers have forked out £17,500 for wine since the election, Tom Watson yesterday published the response from Government Hospitality (GH) to his freedom of information request on the contents of the nation’s booze cupboard. His request was refused on the basis that the press would have a field day government wine suppliers would find […]
