High praise for Freedom of Information
May 22, 2009 FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
What better advertisement of the power that Freedom of Information gives the people than MP Anthony Steen’s intemperate comments:
“It was this Government that introduced the Freedom of Information Act and it is this Government that insisted on the things which caught me on the wrong foot.”
Mr Steen also complained:
“What right does the public have to [...]
World of scandal
May 20, 2009 FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
The MPs’ expenses scandal has gained some international legs!
Peter Wilson of The Australian newspaper has penned a detailed piece including a few quotes from my good self. And I’ve learnt the pithy Ozzie slang for financial impropriety – a ‘rort’ – which certainly deserves to be picked up over here!
The New York Times rightly describes [...]
BBC America interview
May 19, 2009 FOI in Parliament, FOI in the news, Freedom of Information
I recorded a short interview with BBC America covering some of the background to the expenses scandal.
Old hacks tales
May 17, 2009 Freedom of Information
For those of you who like good bedtime listening, The Centre for Investigative Journalism has a selection of audio recordings which include my tale of the MPs expenses scandal.
Preceding me in the recording is Belfast Telegraph reporter David Gordon’s witty and revealing recollection of the downfall of Ian Paisley Jnr, one of the first UK [...]
Guardian cover-girl
May 15, 2009 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament
I’m on the front cover of today’s G2.
Is this the apex of my campaign? My 15 minutes of fame might now be coming to a close if the Commons actually comes clean, gets rid of the corrupt and institutes a new transparency regime. That actually looks as though it might now happen.
I’m in such [...]
Living on the margins
May 13, 2009 FOI in Parliament
I was both pleased and intrigued by Roy Greenslade’s column in today’s Evening Standard. Pleased because it’s always nice to be recognised by someone you admire. Intrigued by this recollection of his experience giving evidence to a parliamentary committee.
Brooke follows in the tradition of journalists who pursue single-minded missions on behalf of the greater [...]
The latest ruse from Speaker Martin and his cronies
May 12, 2009 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament, Freedom of Information
I’ve noticed a new excuse being used by Speaker Michael Martin and the House of Commons authorities when dealing with freedom of information requests.
They are now using the section 34 exemption of ‘parliamentary privilege’ – which is an absolute exemption against which there is no public interest test.
This exemption is one of the [...]
We’ve had a moan, now let’s DO something
May 12, 2009 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament, Freedom of Information
As I’m a lone rabble-rouser I’m not always able to marshal the resources necessary to take on the full might of the state, though I do my best!
I’ve teamed up with the Taxpayers Alliance, Britain’s independent campaign for lower taxes and better government to create an online petition that we can all sign and that [...]
Daily Telegraph publication of MPs’ expenses
May 11, 2009 Campaigns, FOI in Parliament
Some have asked why I haven’t updated my site to take into account the publication Friday in the Daily Telegraph of MPs’ expenses. Frankly, I’ve just been too busy! I was speaking at a conference for members of the Information Tribunal Friday morning and then doing all the television news rounds that afternoon and evening. [...]
