Lib Dems don't want to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information rules

7.05.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd May 2007

The Liberal Democrats today launched a national petition against proposals to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information rules. The petition calls on all political parties to back the campaign. http://www.ourcampaign.org.uk/foi

Edward Davey MP, Chief of Staff to Liberal Democrat Leader, Menzies Campbell, today called on Gordon Brown and David Cameron to sign up to oppose the Bill. Edward Davey said "There should not be one law for MPs and one for everyone else. Exempting politicians from Freedom of Information requests only adds to the public perception of Parliament being opaque and clouded in secrecy."

"If Gordon Brown is serious about reforming our democracy this is his first real test. If David Cameron is serious about new politics now is the time to show real leadership rather than grandstanding."

The petition reads:

We, the undersigned, believe that Members of Parliament should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, with no special exemptions, and call on all political parties to support this position.