FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL MARKS SHAMEFUL DAY FOR COMMONS - RICHARD BURT

6.09.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th May 2007

An attempt by Liberal Democrat MPs and others to defeat a Bill which seeks to exempt MPs and Peers from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, was defeated by an alliance of Conservative and Labour MPs today.

The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, a private member's bill, introduced by David Maclean, a Conservative MP, removing any obligation from MPs to make details of expenses public, passed its third reading shortly before 2.30pm today (Friday) and will now pass to the House of Lords for debate.

Commenting on today's debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill in the House of Commons, West Worcestershire's Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt, said:

"This has been a shameful day for the House of Commons - MPs should set an example of open government, not apply it to everybody but themselves.

"This Conservative Bill and the way it has got through the Commons will clearly diminish respect for Parliament. But the battle will go on and hopefully the Lords will deliver the Commons from this terrible mistake.

"I hope residents in West Worcestershire will make their views very clear to Sir Michael Spicer MP and his party, that this is absolutely the wrong direction for open, accountable government."