Article: MPs just don’t get it
Feb 29, 2008 Articles, Campaigns, FOI in Parliament
Witch-hunt? MPs don’t get it
The Times, February 28, 2008
My battle to make MPs’ expenses more transparent met with obstruction and mystification
By Heather Brooke
Nearly 15 years ago I found myself in a small office digging through boxes of receipts looking at the expense claims of local politicians. Everything was laid bare: all the trips, all the [...]
Decision coverage
Feb 28, 2008 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
Despite the late hour of publication, the Tribunal decision was picked up by most of the main papers and I’ve been making the rounds across various TV news programmes. But lest you think I’m getting big-headed about the publicity, I discovered today while sharing the Green Room at BBC Breakfast with Steve Redgrave and ‘Sporting [...]
Tribunal orders full disclosure
Feb 26, 2008 Access Laws, Campaigns, Central Government, FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news
Champagne all round – I won my case!
Late today the Information Tribunal published its decision ordering the House of Commons to provide full disclosure of MPs’ second home expenses claims. The decision is not yet on the Tribunal’s website but you can download it here (PDF 2MB).
The House is ordered to publish every claim [...]
FOI Filer and Archive goes live
Feb 26, 2008 Access Laws, Campaigns
The first testing stage of a new website that allows the public to request and track their own freedom of information requests is now live.
MySociety built the site and I’m working with the developers to add more contacts lists and guides for making requests and dealing with obstructive or unhelpful officials.
It’s always been my belief [...]
Tribunal hearing coverage
Feb 26, 2008 Campaigns, Central Government, FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
I am expecting the final decision in my case for a detailed breakdown of MPs’ Additional Costs Allowance to be published this week, so here as background, is the media coverage from the hearing. Sam Coates, political correspondent for The Times, also very generously published his transcript of the hearing. It’s a shame the taxpayer-funded [...]
Press Gazette preview of the Tribunal hearing
Feb 7, 2008 Campaigns, Central Government, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
The Press Gazette provides a build-up to the Big Event:
Journalist’s battle could force MPs to declare every pound to press
My Tribunal hearing on MPs’ expenses this Thursday
Feb 6, 2008 Campaigns, Central Government, FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
My four-year-battle for transparency of MPs’ expenses will culminate on Thursday (February 7th) with a two-day hearing before the Information Tribunal for a full breakdown by receipts and claims of MPs’ Additional Costs Allowance. The hearing will see Andrew Walker, Director General of Resources for the House of Commons cross examined for his running of [...]
Taking the Mick
Feb 3, 2008 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news
I’ve had my first feature profile in today’s Scotland on Sunday about my battle with Speaker of the House Michael Martin over MPs’ expenses:
Taking The Mick
FOI news 24-31 January
Feb 2, 2008 FOI in the news
31 January 2008
Four More Years for Scottish Information Tzar
Allmediascotland – Edinburgh,Scotland,UK
In his first five years, Kevin received more than 1500 appeals and issued over 550 decisions, including surgical mortality rates for all surgeons in Scotland; sex offender statistics; and an entire PFI/PPP contract.
29 January 2008
RATS FIRM SUPPLIED 150 SITES
South Wales Evening Post – Swansea,Wales,UK
A Rat-infested [...]
Sack the Speaker
Feb 1, 2008 Campaigns, Central Government, FOI in Parliament
Increasingly it appears that Speaker of the House Michael Martin is behind the House of Commons’ stubborn refusal to disclose details of MPs’ expenses.
The House of Commons Commission led by the Speaker has rejected all my FOI requests in which I sought a breakdown of not just staff names and salaries but also travel expenses [...]
