ID cards review must be published

Friday, February 20, 2009

The government has been told, once again, that it must publish the ID cards Gateway Review.

Since its creation in 2003, the Gateway Review has been kept secret despite protests from opposition parties and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). In January 2005 a Freedom of Information (FoI) request was made for it to be published. After an appeals process, the Information Commissioner ordered the government to publish it in 2006. The case was then taken to the Information Tribunal, then sent to the High Court, who then sent it back to the Information Tribunal.

The Information Tribunal's latest ruling called on the government to publish it in the next 28 days or lodge an appeal.

Steve Wood, assistant information commissioner, said: "When the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, made his ruling he was aware of the importance the government attaches to the Gateway Review process. He also considered the balance between transparency and maintaining public confidence in the robustness and effectiveness of the Gateway Review process. Disclosure will enhance public debate and understanding on issues regarding the programme's feasibility, management and progress."

An Office of Government Commerce (OGC) spokesman said: "The Information Tribunal has concluded that neither they nor the Information Commissioner believe all Gateway Reviews should be disclosed. It has made clear that its decision refers only to this specific request and does not set any precedent. We are currently assessing the detail of the Information Tribunal's decision and will respond in full in due course."

The Liberal Democrat's home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, said: "The government is increasingly realising that its ID card scheme is a laminated poll tax with all the same toxic ability to make it unpopular. Ministers would win more plaudits if they did not drag their feet on their legal obligations."