Keep to the law and stop complaining - Dee Doocey criticises Met proposals to limit freedom of information requests (London Assembly Liberal Democrats)

London Assembly Liberal Democrats <info@glalibdems.org.uk>

Keep to the law and stop complaining - Dee Doocey criticises Met proposals to limit freedom of information requests

October 11, 2010 1:05 PM

Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson and Member of the MPA, commenting on Sir Paul Stephenson's private lobbying for the Met to face less freedom of information requests said:

"It is appalling that the Met Commission is seeking to restrict freedom of information requests being made to the Met. Records already show that the Met has an appalling record in answering requests within the legal deadline, so instead of trying to improve their systems it seems the Met is just seeking to wriggle out of being held accountable.

"Of course a few freedom of information requests might seem trivial, but overall such legislation goes a long way to demonstrating the openness and accountability of any public organisation.

"Many freedom of information requests have also revealed wasteful expenditure, so often end up saving public money in the long term.

"Sir Paul should think again."

ENDS

On the 1st October the Information Commissioner's office published a list of 30 public bodies that have been flouting the Freedom of Information Act. The Metropolitan Police Service was listed as one of these 30 organisations:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/notices/list_of_ico_monitored_bodies.pdf