Thread by @GoodLawProject

🚨FOI is broken. 2020 was the worst year on record for UK Government transparency, according to @openDemocracy’s report today 😠

Here's @GoodLawProject’s experience over the past 12 months. [THREAD] ⬇️
opendemocracy.net/en/freedom-of-…

@openDemocracy [1] Last week, @GoodLawProject successfully forced Government to reveal the names of all 47 companies in the PPE ‘VIP’ lane 🎉

After a *9-month* FOI battle, @ICOnews ordered Government to disclose these firms to us *within 35 days*

More info 👇 goodlawproject.org/news/they-have…

@openDemocracy @ICOnews [2] After a 3-month wait, Government refused to release a bombshell report explaining how the PPE ‘VIP’ lane was controlled, and the associated conflict of interest issues/fraud risks.

They claimed it’s 'not in the public interest' 🙄

https://twitter.com/RussellScott1/status/1433796844530831366?s=20

@openDemocracy @ICOnews [3] The FCO continues to delay answering our FOI request about Dominic Raab's use of WhatsApp for Government business.

They want 60 days to complete a public interest test - instead of the usual 20 days!🤦‍♂️👇

@openDemocracy @ICOnews [4] For 9 months, Government has not answered our FOI request for a copy of Dido Harding’s meeting schedule.

First they said the costs were too excessive, now they’re saying we are being 'vexatious' 🤯
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/test-and…

@openDemocracy @ICOnews [5] This month, our investigative journalist @RussellScott1 discovered his FOI requests are being routinely delayed by the Government’s infamous 'clearing house' 😲

Government had been diverting his FOI requests there from 2016 onward 🚨

https://twitter.com/RussellScott1/status/1445723001111007233?s=20

@openDemocracy @ICOnews @RussellScott1 Our work holding the Government to account is only possible thanks to donations from ordinary people across the UK.

If you’re in a position to support our work, you can do so here 👇

Thank you💛
glplive.org/foi-twdl-2510