Farron speaks out against Freedom of Information restrictions

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th May 2007

Local MP Tim Farron is intending to speak in a House of Commons debate on the Freedom of Information Bill this Friday.

Farron has repeatedly spelt out his opposition to the Private Member's Bill, proposed by Penrith Conservative MP David McClean. The practical effects of the Bill would be to keep all correspondence between MPs and public authorities secret, and prevent details of how MPs spend their allowances from being disclosed.

This would therefore undermine the Act's ability to increase accountability and trust in the work of our elected representatives.

Tim Farron said:

"As a local MP I should be open to the fullest possible scrutiny, so to limit access to information about MP's work would be a dreadful step backwards. If this Bill was passed it would mean one rule for MPs and another rule for everyone else, which is a terrible message to send out to the public.

"In this country we are proud of having a free press, and that press needs the freedom to fully investigate MPs, even if sometimes we find that uncomfortable".