Might they have something to hide?

I note that it is being reported that:

"Gordon Brown’s government was on a collision course with the UK Information Commissioner last night after ministers decided to block the release of key Cabinet discussions in 1997 covering decisions taken in the run-up to devolution.

Christopher Graham, the Information Commissioner, said he was “concerned” that ministers will now try to routinely block the publication of Cabinet minutes.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, vetoed the release of the documents, citing the convention of collective Cabinet responsibility. "

Anyone would think that the Labour government had something to hide.

You might like to take a look at Jack Straw's speech to the Campaign for Freedom of Information's
annual Awards ceremony, 7 June 1999 for a bit of light relief at this point.


Having pondered that you might like to also remember that

"in February 2009, Straw used his authority as Justice Secretary to veto publication of government documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act: in particular, those pertaining to early government meetings concerning the (back then, forthcoming) Iraq War."

A great believer in Freedom of Information; well maybe more in theory than practice.