LABOUR’S TRANSPARENCY IS ALL TALK

LABOUR’S TRANSPARENCY IS ALL TALK

EDM CALLS LABOUR’S FOI COMMITMENT INTO QUESTION

SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesman, Pete Wishart MP, has tabled an Early Day Motion questioning the UK Government’s commitment to the Freedom of Information Act.

It follows Jack Straw’s decision this week to veto the release of documents covering top level talks on Scottish devolution dating back to 1997.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“With the public fighting for more transparency in politics it beggars belief that Labour is hushing up important information.

“This Labour Government tries to claim it’s fighting for an accountable, open system but it’s clearly all for media show. When it comes to information which actually matters to the people of Scotland, Labour battens down the hatches and keeps schtum.

“The only time this veto has been used before is to prevent the disclosure of Iraq cabinet minutes. What on earth can Downing Street have to hide on on devolution?

“After all the confusion over the Calman recommendations, serious questions have to be raised about Labour’s commitment to devolution, to freedom of information and to a transparent parliament itself. These are all areas the party claims to support but Labour, it seems is all rhetoric and no reaction.”