Last December, the UK government declined to release a document about whether its anti-drug strategy was working under Freedom of Information legilsation – on the ludicrous basis that it might confuse the public. But it gets worse.
Steve sez, "Last week the Home Office inadvertently released 19 pages of correspondence concerning the case to a BBC journalist in an unrelated request (they had deleted it in track changes but forgotten to accept all deltions I presume – as its still all there but red and struckthough). What it reveals is not only that the stalling was transparently political in nature (all the various excuses previously given were entirely spurious), but that the rules stating FOI applications should be dealt with 'applicant blind' were clearly ignored."
The release of the report entails the risk of Transform, or other supporters of legalisation, using information from the report to criticise the Government's drug policy, or to support their call for the legalisation of drugs and the introduction of a regulated system of supply. These risks should be considered in reaching a decision on whether to release the report, as recommended.
Home Office internal document reveals bunker mentality of secrecy and suppression
(Thanks, Steve!)
