It is right that ministers should have the last word on this but I think it is equally important that they justify their decisions in public

Michael Buckley

In report laid before Parliament the ombudsman said it was the first time ministers had refused to take his advice.

The Commons Public Administration Committee is now to due to consider Mr Buckley's comments and will decide whether to hold an inquiry.

The report came at the same time as an announcement that the Freedom of Information act will not be fully implemented until 2005 - almost a year later than first planned.

Conservative Cabinet Office spokesman Tim Collins said: "When the very government department responsible for freedom legislation refuses point-blank to provide an answer to a parliamentary question and is consequently rightly rebuked by the ombudsman, we have the final definitive proof that this a government that only understands secrecy, spin and their own convenience."

Mr Buckley said he had decided to place the issue in the public domain because he "saw no point in futile correspondence" over the complaint.

"It is right that ministers should have the last word on this but I think it is equally important that they justify their decisions in public," he said.

Wider view

Mr Robathan posed the questions

Mr Buckley added: "I really cannot see why they chose this case to disagree with the referee, as it were."

A Home Office spokesman said the decision was taken in consultation with the Cabinet Office and reflected a wider view in government.

"Although the case in question was based on a request for information from the Home Office, the decision that was taken reflects the view of other government departments," the spokesman said.

Mr Robathan said only International Development Secretary Claire Short had answered his questions "because she is honest".

'Control freakery'

"The rest of the government got together and refused to answer the question," he said.

"It is their control freakery."

The ombudsman's report also said the government's stance seemed incompatible with rules that apply to local authorities over declaring councillors' interests.

Referring to this statement, Mr Robathan said: "It is one rule for local councils and another for the Labour government."