Freedom of Information Act 'affecting good government'

Published on Friday 25 May 2007 00:08

A SENIOR Cabinet minister fears that the Freedom of Information Act is "placing good government at risk" by forcing sensitive papers to be disclosed.

Alistair Darling, the Trade Secretary, has written to Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, expressing his worries. His intervention comes amid a row about MPs voting to exempt themselves from the legislation.

Although Mr Darling has not backed that move, his concerns about disclosure will add to pressure for reform of the Freedom of Information Act.

In his letter, Mr Darling said that officials' advice to ministers could be published under the act, potentially deterring officials from putting that advice in writing.

He also worries that private correspondence between ministers and MPs could be revealed, further limiting the government's ability to formulate policy. "If we are to live under constant threat of publication, this will prevent MPs from expressing their views frankly when writing to a minister. We need urgent advice on what the position is," Mr Darling wrote.