Inquiry on freedom of information role rejected

Kirklees Council Labour leader Mehboob Khan came under fire earlier this week for apparently blocking information being released by his council under the Freedom of Information Act.

As reported yesterday, Coun Khan said he has done nothing wrong and that it is normal for politicians to become involved in the FoI process.

He defended his decision to block the release of information prepared by officers, saying the information was inaccurate. He said it was important for politicians to add “context” to some FoI responses.

His actions have been criticised, however, by former council leader, Lib Dem Councillor Kath Pinnock, and yesterday former Tory leader of the authority, Coun Robert Light called for an independent inquiry, claiming there appeared to be an “abuse of power”.

Coun Light said it was normal for a leader to be copied into the information supplied in FoI requests and for leaders to request further details from officers, but blocking requests was not appropriate.

“What we have are quite shocking claims that Coun Khan vetoed requests and changed the content of the information supplied in response to legitimate requests. Coun Khan needs to understand it is not appropriate for a council leader to change the facts to meet his view of what they should be.”

His request for an inquiry was rejected yesterday by David Smith, director of resources with the council, who said in a statement: “If people are unhappy with the response they have received (to an FOI request) they can challenge further.

“There has to be context in place – acknowledged by Coun Light – that it is right for senior councillors to be involved at an appropriate level.”