Two years of FOI - what have we learned?

Two years of FOI - what have we learned?

Robert Verhaik of The Independent looks back at two years of freedom of information legislation in the UK:

"Following the introduction of new rights of access, with the Freedom of Information Act on 1 January 2005 the Government has been forced to give up its secrets, while Whitehall has had to offer up its most sensitive files for public inspection. What we have witnessed is a seeping release of documents, memos and classified papers that has shone a light into the darkest workings of our democracy, as well as revealing fascinating facts about the rich and famous along the way. "

Topics include: Humphrey the 10 Downing Street cat, Gordon Ramsay's Chelsea restaurant (it was not only the language that was filthy), the mysterious death of General Wladyslaw Sikorski (the Polish war-time leader), an assassination attempt on Bob Marley, the wartime exploits of Robert Maxwell (investigated for war crimes), the death of Diana - Princess of Wales in a Paris road tunnel, alleged sightings of UFOs, Wham in China, the crimes of Peter Sutcliffe - the serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper, and Princess Margaret's love life.

Freedom of Information: Top secrets for public inspection (The Independent, 10 December 2006)

**This is the 500th post on the FOISA blog.