Top news today: FoI, Keith Vaz, Lib Dems
Author: Zoe Stavri
Published on Oct 01, 2012
In the news today, ministers’ private text and email messages will be made FoI-able, a possible inappropriate relationship with an adviser, and the Lib Dems change policy on female quotas.
MINISTERS’ PRIVATE TEXT MESSAGES TO BE REVEALED- Emails and text messages sent from private accounts by government ministers are to be made publicly accessible by the Freedom of Information Act, following a dispute between Michael Gove and the Information Commissioner. Will this help us scrutinise the government?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ministers-private-text-messages-to-be-revealed-8191502.html
MET APPLIED FOR ORDERS TO VIEW ACCOUNTS HELD BY MP’S WIFE- Keith Vaz MP held a party at the Red Fort in Soho. His wife had previously advised a shareholder of Red Fort. Might there be privileged access happening here?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/9577967/Met-applied-for-orders-to-view-accounts-held-by-MPs-wife.html
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FORCED TO ABANDON FEMALE QUOTAS- The Lib Dems have traditionally insisted party committees must be at least one third men and one third women, but a change to the law means this is now illegal. The policy is missed by some Lib Dems. Will this change in the law negatively impact women’s representation?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/9571905/Liberal-Democrats-forced-to-abandon-female-quotas.html
SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE: WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO VOTE YES- A campaign to encourage women to vote “yes” at the Scottish independence referendum has been launched. Women For Independence believe women should be “front and central” to the debate.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19769633