Dowd's attempt to limit Freedom of Information fails

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 16th Jun 2007

Alex Feakes, Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for the new seat of Lewisham West & Penge has welcomed the news that a bid to exempt MPs from freedom of information laws has failed. The proposal failed in the House of Lords, despite being voted for by the Commons and receiving the support of Lewisham West MP Jim Dowd.

The proposed changes would have meant that MPs expenses would remain secret, and would stop the public, the media and other organisations from finding out information in the public interest.

Alex Feakes said: "This proposal was a shameful attack on the principle of Freedom of Information, and I'm glad it has failed - MPs should not have special exemptions when it comes to Freedom of Information.

"By backing this Bill, put forward by the Conservatives, Jim Dowd has shown that his priorities are secrecy rather than openness, and protecting MPs interests rather than reform."

The Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake has put forward a proposal to extend the current Freedom of Information laws to remove the ministerial vetos over disclosure.

"This shows that the Lib Dems are the only party serious about shining the light of public scrutiny into the shadowy world of Westminster" commented Mr Feakes.