UK Gov't to Review Freedom of Information Act After Sensitive Disclosures

The United Kingdom’s ruling Conservative Party has launched a commission to review the Freedom of Information Act.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The United Kingdom’s ruling Conservative Party has launched a commission to review the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act following recent disclosures using the legislation, the UK government announced Friday.

The so-called Commission on Freedom of Information will review the 2000 FOI Act "to consider whether there is an appropriate public interest balance between transparency, accountability and the need for sensitive information to have robust protection."

Its other functions include considering the balance between public access to information and the burden it places on government, according to its statement.

The commission’s establishment follows the disclosure of information, by virtue of a FOI request, about 20 British pilots carrying out anti-ISIL jihadist group airstrikes while embedded in US and Canadian air forces in Syria.

"We fully support the Freedom of Information Act but after more than a decade in operation it is time that the process is reviewed, to make sure it’s working effectively," Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock said of the new commission.

Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that FOI policy responsibility is now under the authority of the Cabinet Office, the government statement added.

The five-member commission plans to publish its findings by the end of November.