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campaignfoi.bsky.social
Campaign for Freedom of Information
@campaignfoi.bsky.social
280 followers 690 following 71 posts
We seek to improve and defend freedom of information in support of a more vibrant and open democracy.
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campaignfoi.bsky.social
Campaign for Freedom of Information @campaignfoi.bsky.social · Jan 14
📣Use FOI to improve your research, campaigning or journalism

CFOI has been training FOI requesters for over 20 years

Our next course will be online on 11/02/2026

This live, interactive session will illustrate why some requests succeed and others fail

Booking link
www.cfoi.org.uk/2025/10/usin...
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📣FOI requests about Andrew still blocked despite growing scrutiny of his time as Trade Envoy

Long-standing concerns about conduct and misuse of taxpayer funds do not appear to facilitate transparency

#Epsteinfiles #AndrewMountbatten #transparency #accountability

www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-fam...
Andrew files blocked because of ‘health and safety’ concerns
The Foreign Office is under pressure to release documents from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as trade envoy, amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal
www.thetimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
gavinfreeguard.bsky.social
🚨 ONE WEEK TODAY 🚨

Join us at Birkbeck College, London & online for

FOI FEST 2026

- Keynotes from ICO & Scottish Info Commissioner, followed by discussion
- Lightning talks
- Skills sessions

Sign up now: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...

And for FOI Network updates: www.mysociety.org/transparency...
FOI Fest 2026
Thu, Feb. 19, 2026
pretix.eu
February 12, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
@unitetheunion.bsky.social Scotland sets out why it supports the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill.

#FoIReformNow #freedomofinformation #foi #accesstoinformation #ati
Text reads: FoI Reform proves popular “To improve efficiency and transparency in the public interest – and to ensure that trade unions can access information for collective bargaining - FOI processes in Scotland require change. The Third sector has expanded and public funds have been given to ALEO's, outsourced organisations and private bodies involved in running core public services. These groups are not covered under existing legislation – making accessing information difficult and creating a lack of transparency.” - Unite The Union Scotland
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Attend the CFoIS-led event 'Care 4 FoI' with @reidfoundation.bsky.social on Thursday to find out more! Get a free ticket via Eventbrite now: www.eventbrite.com/e/1980371899...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #foi #ati
Text reads: Care 4 FoI? What happens in Scotland’s care homes matters. That is why we support extending FoI to the care sector. To find out more, attend one of CFoIS’ online briefings, held in conjunction with supporting organisations, about extending FoI to the care sector. Photo shows someone giving another person a helping hand Text reads: What: Care 4 FoI? With The Jimmy Reid Foundation When: Thursday 12 February at 5:00PM to 6:00PM GMT Where: Online Cost: Free Tickets are available to book now via Eventbrite.
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📣PSNI breach latest: New Stormont compensation offer signals breakthrough

The deal comes after a similar promise before Christmas which was later withdrawn

#PSNIdatabreach #Stormont #transparency #accountability

policeprofessional.com/news/data-br...
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
⚖️ Understand your FOI rights - when exempt information can be disclosed in the public interest

Learn how the balance is struck in CFOI's forthcoming FOI requester training course next week!

Book here ⬇️

www.cfoi.org.uk/2025/10/usin...
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
gavinfreeguard.bsky.social
Keynotes from the ICO and Scottish Information Commissioner!

Discussions on what FOI has changed - and what comes next!

Skills sessions!

Lightning talks!

FOI Fest schedule! www.mysociety.org/transparency...

Sign up now for 19 Feb! Free! pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
FOI Fest 2026
FOI Fest 2026 will be held at Birkbeck University of London and online. Full venue and joining details will be shared a few days ahead of the conference. Draft Schedule Time Location Session / A...
www.mysociety.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
CFoIS Director Carole Ewart has written an opinion piece for Scottish Legal News about recent developments in Scotland’s FOI regime and the need for reform.

Read the full article here: www.scottishlegal.com/articles/car...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #foi #ati
CFoIS Director writes about the need for FoI reform for Scottish Legal News
January 28, 2026 at 1:23 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
⚖️ Understand your FOI rights—and how to appeal!

Many new requesters accept an FOI request’s refusal at face value.

Some authorities count on this!

Refusals are not the end of the process.

Join our upcoming FOI Requester course to learn more.

Booking link ⬇️
www.cfoi.org.uk/2025/10/usin...
January 27, 2026 at 9:36 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢The trial has begun for former NI council chief executive Anne Donaghy, charged with allegedly deleting emails to frustrate a Freedom of Information request

Such FOI prosecutions are extremely rare given the difficulty in proving intent.

www.newsletter.co.uk/news/courts/...
Former East Antrim Council chief executive in court charged with deleting emails
​​The former chief executive of East Antrim Borough Council has been charged with multiple offences of breaching the Freedom of Information Act.
www.newsletter.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The clock is ticking on a Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision regarding the Scottish Government's compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #foi #ati
Time is up today! Will the Scottish Government choose transparency or secrecy? The Scottish Information Commissioner has issued the Scottish Government with a warning letter following its failure to comply with the requirements of Decision 281/2025 within the legal required timescale, setting a new deadline of Thursday the 22nd of January (today), to release the information. The Decision concerned a request for communications and information relating to the James Hamilton Report and associated published legal advice. Will the Scottish Government comply with the Scottish Information Commissioner’s ruling to release all the specified files relating to James Hamilton's investigation into whether the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, broke the ministerial code? The clock is ticking.
January 22, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
theferret.scot
🔴NEW: The UK’s leading organic verification company is trying to dodge freedom of information law, in a case which could have important implications for transparency.

Find out more: https://www.theferret.scot/organic-food-certification-scrutiny/
Text highlights concerns about exempting organic food certification from public scrutiny, with a focus on Scottish salmon farms.
January 20, 2026 at 8:02 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
⚖️ Understand your FOI rights—and how to use them!

Our next FOI requester training course on February 11th is aimed at newcomers and those who want to make more effective requests.

You will have the opportunity to draft your own and get feedback on it.

Book here ⬇️
www.cfoi.org.uk/foi-training/
January 21, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
georgegreenwood.bsky.social
Victims ditch hundreds of sex assault cases, Met Police has to admit.

The Times had to fight a 3 year legal battle to force it to disclose a report into policing violence against women and girls, In the aftermath of the rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
Victims ditch hundreds of sex assault cases, Met Police has to admit
The force has been ordered to reveal data that shows how many allegations of rape have been dropped, highlighting how arduous the justice process is for women
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
mysociety.org
Freedom of Information is all grown up - it turns 21 this year!

Join us for a one day conference to celebrate, scrutinise, and share everything around #FOI in the UK: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
CFoIS welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation on extending FoI to the care sector.

Find out more here: consult.gov.scot/communicatio...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #scotland #foi
Scottish Government launches consultation on extending FoI to care sector CFoIS welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Extension of Freedom of Information in (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) to private and third sector providers of care home and ‘care at home’ services. CFoIS believes all providers of such care services should be covered by FoI law to ensure equality on the delivery of transparency rights and compliance with duties. Section 2 of the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill closes a legal loophole so that if the Scottish Government chooses not to extend FoISA to a public service, Parliament can act instead. For example, if the Bill is passed by MSPs before 25th March 2026 and the Scottish Government declines to designate private and third sector providers of care home and 'care at home' services Parliament can decide to use its new power and commence the designation process under FoISA. The process is robust as it requires consultation, evidence gathering and debate so an informed decision is made by all MSPs in the public interest. CFoIS is organising one hour online briefings, ‘Care 4 FoI?’, in conjunction with supporting organisations. More information on these events will be circulated soon. CFoIS encourages supporters to engage with the consultation in tandem with support for the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill campaign. If you want an enforceable right to access information from private and third sector providers of care home and care at home services, please give your views to the consultation by the 30th of March.
January 14, 2026 at 9:03 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📣Use FOI to improve your research, campaigning or journalism

CFOI has been training FOI requesters for over 20 years

Our next course will be online on 11/02/2026

This live, interactive session will illustrate why some requests succeed and others fail

Booking link
www.cfoi.org.uk/2025/10/usin...
January 14, 2026 at 10:33 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
"John Swinney has decided his government should make a court challenge against the Scottish Information Commissioner's decision to order the release of secret evidence given to the James Hamilton investigation into Nicola Sturgeon some five years ago."
January 12, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Do you want the enforceable right 2 access info from private & third sector providers of care home & care at home services? Plz give ur views to the ScotGovt consultation launched today @unison.org.uk @unitescotland.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @nujscotland.bsky.social @fbunational.bsky.social
Extension of Freedom of Information in (Scotland) Acts 2002 (FOISA) to private and third sector providers of care home and ‘care at home’ services - Scottish Government...
Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government
consult.gov.scot
January 5, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
mrosenbaum.bsky.social
The ICO has published its decision in a high profile FOI case, backing the EHRC's refusal to disclose internal communications about its interim guidance after the UK Supreme Court judgment last April (which ruled that the meaning of "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 is biological)
42. However the Commissioner also considers the early stage at which the information was requested - shortly after the judgement and whilst the process to produce amended guidance was very much ongoing - to be a pivotal factor in the public interest considerations in this case. The EHRC, in its role as the independent regulator for equality and human rights, is trusted with providing guidance for policy makers, public sector bodies and businesses on equality and human rights law. Where any amendments occur to such laws, the Commissioner considers it vital that the EHRC is allowed a safe space to carry out its function of producing updated statutory and non-statutory guidance to the highest standard. The Commissioner does not consider it to be in the public interest to disclose information that would risk inhibiting the advice and deliberations feeding into that guidance. 43. Giving due consideration to the emotive subject matter and wideranging implications of the judgement in this case, the Commissioner is satisfied that disclosure of the requested information would be likely to provoke further polarised reactions. Having regard for the extreme nature of some of those reactions, such as threatening communications and vandalism at EHRC offices, the Commissioner is further satisfied that the EHRC is correct that the free and frank provision of advice, and the free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation would likely be inhibited. Whilst it is correct that officials should not to be easily deterred from expressing their views by the possibility of future disclosure, it is reasonable to understand in this case why they would likely be fearful of expressing their views so candidly.
January 6, 2026 at 11:16 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📣Central Government Freedom of Information Bulletin Q3 2025-2026

Statistics for July-September 2025 show improved timeliness.

www.gov.uk/government/s...

#FOI #Informationrights #transparency #accountability
December 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
mrosenbaum.bsky.social
The ICO has issued an enforcement notice against the FCDO because of its persistently "unacceptable" delays in processing FOI requests and its failure to improve properly, despite the ICO's previous more limited interventions.

Good - the FCDO's track record on FOI is terrible.
The Commissioner considers it unacceptable for a government department’s compliance with the timeliness obligations of FOIA to be so far removed from the law set by parliament and his minimum expected standard for compliance, as well as the average performance for that sector. As the data in Annex 4 demonstrates the FCDO’s performance has been at such a level for a number of years and the Commissioner’s previous interventions and engagements with the FCDO have not led to sustainable improvements, but have demonstrated that better performance has been possible when sufficient focus has been applied to this area. The Commissioner agrees with recent comments by the First-tier Tribunal that compliance with the statutory timetable is vital and that “Significant delays can cause real difficulties to applicants, who often need information within a particular period of time for important reasons”.
December 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
Join the #FOI Network on Thursday 19th February 2026 for an all day celebration of the Act's achievements and the challenges which still lie ahead!

"It is hoped that FOI Fest 2026 will be the seed out of which a wider FOI Network will grow."

pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
FOI Fest 2026
Thu, Feb. 19, 2026
pretix.eu
December 16, 2025 at 9:22 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
An #FOI from Norfolk County Council shows it handled 139 complaints about the England flags hung over the Summer. It also revealed the Council only removed one flag.

This means that all the other flags which have since vanished from the streets were removed by members of the public.
December 15, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
lynnwyeth.bsky.social
Do you know what you should be proactively publishing by law?

Is your Publication Scheme for for purpose?

Find out in the next free eCase webinar with myself and Sarah Laws. 18th Dec 12 noon.

#FOI #FreedomOfInformation #Transparency

ecase.co.uk/events/
December 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM