Freedom of Information Bill marks shameful day for Commons - Hughes

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th May 2007

Commenting on today's debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, Simon Hughes MP said:

"This has been a shameful day for the House of Commons - MPs should set an example of open government, not apply it to everybody but ourselves.

"David Maclean's Bill and the way it has got through the Commons will clearly diminish respect for Parliament. But the battle will go on and hopefully the Lords will deliver us from this terrible mistake.

"I hope the public will make their views very clear to the MPs who supported the Bill and to the next Prime Minister that this is absolutely the wrong direction for open, accountable government."

ENDS