Foreign Office guilty in secrecy case

Rob Evans
Monday July 7, 2003 The Guardian

In a boost for freedom of information, the Foreign Office has been found guilty of maladministration by the parliamentary ombudsman. It has been condemned for unjustifiably keeping secret the names of private firms whose executives are allowed to become temporary diplomats in embassies abroad. Upholding a complaint brought by the Guardian against Sir Michael Jay, the Foreign Office permanent secretary, Ms Abraham also condemned the department for failing to answer requests within the time limits promised under a code which allows the public access to government information.