MPs' shameful vote on secrecy

10.10.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

Robert Wright is campaigning against the FoI exemption for MPs.

Liberal Democrats in Selly Oak have slammed Labour and Conservative MPs for voting for a change in the law to remove the public's right to see MPs' travel and expenses claims.

The vote followed a successful legal challenge by Lib Dem MP Norman Baker earlier this year that forced Parliament to publish the detailed travel expenses of MPs.

The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the Conservative MP David Maclean, would remove any obligation for MPs' expenses to be made public. It would also stop people from finding out what their Member of Parliament has said to other public bodies.

Lib Dem councillor Robert Wright said, "Freedom of information laws allow the press and public to know the travel expenses claimed by councillors and other public officials. This is something we welcome.

"But the attempt by many Labour and Conservative MPs to stop the same rules applying to themselves is an appalling approach of one rule for MPs, and another for the rest of us. No wonder Parliament is so often held in such low regard."

Liberal Democrats have launched a petition against the attempt to put MPs outside the freedom of information laws. You can sign it on-line at http://www.ourcampaign.org.uk/foi

Related Links:

Campaign for Freedom of Information.

BBC Open Secrets Blog.

Richard Allan's Blog.