Freedom of Information Act 'comes of age'

The Freedom of Information Act has come of age, according to the outgoing information commissioner.

Writing in the Guardian, Richard Thomas - who has held his role since November 2002 - said the act has been seen as a "somewhat fragile flower" for most of its existence.

However, he added, it has now "moved centre stage".

Mr Thomas added: "It is a key channel for securing substantially improved transparency and accountability. The surprise is no longer the nature and extent of disclosure. What is astonishing is how much was previously treated as secret."

He went on to describe freedom of information as a defining feature of modern democracy and a "stark reminder" that people elected to power and their officials are accountable to the general public.

Mr Thomas will leave his role at the Information Commission at the end of this month.

His career has included stints at the Office of Fair Trading and the National Consumer Council, among other organisations.
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15/06/2009 15:47

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