MPs’ expenses
The MPs’ expenses story continues to run and run. From moats to duck houses it has made the headlines nationally and internationally. And we were involved from the very start. Why? Because it's a story that has freedom of information and data protection at its very heart.
We played a major role in the events and our first freedom of information decision on MPs’ expenses was covered by the media. Quotes and information from our spokesperson were given national media coverage.
Here are a few extracts from our press releases as the story unfolded:
2 April 2008
"The ICO is ordering the House of Commons to release the spending details of seven MPs’ in Wales. This follows a freedom of information request for the amounts spent by the seven MPs’.
The House of Commons refused to release the details, maintaining that the information is considered personal to the MPs’ concerned and its disclosure would breach data protection principles. The ICO believes that the legitimate public interest in disclosing the information outweighs any possible prejudice to the rights, freedom and legitimate interests of MPs'. The House of Commons has since appealed this decision to the High Court."
4 April 2008
"The ICO welcomes the House of Commons’ decision to publish details of MPs’ spending under the Freedom of Information Act. The Act ensures that members of the public can find out more about what is done in their name and with their taxes."
16 May 2008
"We welcome today's ruling by the High Court which upholds the Information Tribunal's decision. MPs’ claim expenses in relation to their public duties and the public therefore has a right to know what that money is spent on."
11 June 2009
In his last speech as Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas said: "The Freedom of Information Act has now come of age and moved centre stage - a permanent fixture and a core part of the fabric of public life. The recent uproar over MPs’ expenses has cemented FOI's reputation as a success story. It is a key channel for securing substantially improved transparency and accountability. The surprise is no longer the nature and extent of disclosure. What is astonishing is how much was previously treated as secret."
