Government and CBI meetings victory1 May 2008
Friends of the Earth has won an important victory for lobbying transparency.
In a key judgment, the Information Tribunal has recognised the public interest in lobbying transparency, and has ordered the Government to release minutes of its previously secret meetings with business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The documents to be disclosed include notes of an away day between the Confederation of British Industry and top officials from the Department of Trade and Industry - now Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Also minutes of meetings between Digby Jones (then Director General of the CBI) and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Digby Jones is now Minister for Trade in the same government department.
The complete documents will soon be given to Friends of the Earth, but you can read the documents initially released to us.
Proper access to information is an important right that members of the public need in order to shape environmental decisions that impact on them and their environment.
For more information read our press release.
Read the full judgement. Most relevant are paragraphs 113-134 and the Annex
Alliance for Lobbying Transparency
Friends of the Earth is a member of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency, which is calling for the Public Administration Select Committee inquiry into lobbying to recommend mandatory lobbying registration, with full financial disclosure, as a first step in ensuring democratic oversight of influential lobbyists. The campaign group believes this information is necessary to hold the government accountable for its decisions.
© Confederation of British Industry
