Release of Iraq war advice is test for new act

Freedom of information battle looms on legality of action
As the Freedom of Information Act finally comes into force tomorrow, the Guardian has filed a request for the advice given by the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, on the legality of the invasion of Iraq.

Tony Blair has fought tooth and nail for the past year to keep secret this information, which is widely believed to show that the invasion by British troops was of questionable standing under international law.

Under the new legislation, the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, has a right to determine whether it is in the public interest to release the files. But if he decides it is, he will provoke an immediate showdown with the government, which will have to decide whether to use its controversial veto power to overrule him.

If ministers effectively castrate the commissioner at the first test of his powers, public confidence in the value of the FoI Act is likely to plunge. But if the Commissioner shirks the challenge, he too will be likely to face criticism.


http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foi/story/0,9061,1381216,00.html