Ombudsman accuses Government of secrecy

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Leading article: Freedom of information must be more than just a phrase for ministers

The official watchdog on freedom of information has accused the Government of becoming more secretive despite its repeated public pledges to bring in more openness.

Sir Michael Buckley, the parliamentary ombudsman, who monitors the Government's code of practice on access to official information, said: "We have noticed a tendency for departments to take a harder line and be less co-operative. It is fairly uphill work with departments."

He singled out Jack Straw who as Home Secretary became the first and only minister to refuse to accept the ombudsman's recommendation to release information. Mr Straw blocked a request by the Tory MP Andrew Robathan to disclose how many times Home Office ministers had declared an interest under Whitehall's anti-sleaze code and consulted their civil servants over a possible conflict of interest.

Sir Michael said: "It was a relatively minor matter to be taking this attitude about. It was not about the work of the intelligence agencies or national security."

He also criticised the Cabinet's decision to delay the introduction of its much-heralded Freedom of Information Act from next summer until 2005.

Sir Michael, whose main role is to investigate complaints by the public of maladministration by the Government, expressed concern at the time Whitehall departments took to compensate people after a complaint had been upheld.

He said there was "an element" of double standards in the attitude of some departments that imposed strict timetables on the public such as the deadline for tax returns.

He also criticised the Government for delaying plans to streamline the system under which the public can make complaints of maladministration. "It is ironic that ministers who ... are deeply dissatisfied with the pace of reform in public services should be reluctant to pursue reforms which ... would lead to a greatly improved service to the public," he said.

Sir Michael expressed sympathy for Elizabeth Filkin, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, who is leaving her job after being told she would have to reapply for it. "At a personal level I do feel sympathetic," he said. "I had dealings with her when she was an Inland Revenue adjudicator and I have a great deal of regard for her."