An apology is due over FoI debacle

Next year the Scottish Parliament and devolved government will be 20 years old. It will be a milestone worth celebrating for the progress the devolution project has made. It will not be celebrated, however, as a triumph of open government.

The Scottish Information Commissioner Daren Fitzhenry produced a damning report yesterday into the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information regime.

The investigation was prompted after complaints from the media, including The Press and Journal.

Mr Fitzhenry found the Scottish Government treated FoI requests from journalists differently to others resulting in unacceptable delays. Some applicants were “significantly less likely to receive information”.

While it has long been suspected by newspapers and broadcasters, it is disappointing to learn that ministers are prepared to manipulate the law to try to mitigate FoI requests.

In an era when an explosion in online information and “news” makes it hard enough for ordinary voters to trust what they read, hindrance of legitimate news organisations should not be tolerated.

The Scottish Government has accepted the watchdog’s seven recommendations and will put an action plan in place to address the concerns.

They should also consider an apology.

“It is hard for voters to trust what they read. Hindrance of legitimate sources can’t be tolerated”