The government is taking the unprecedented step of
releasing papers on how policy decisions were taken at Downing
Street before the launch of theNHS systems modernisation project-
the world's largest civil IT-based scheme.
The move follows a three-year campaign by Computer Weekly to
force disclosure of the
"Downing Street papers", using the
Freedom of Information
Act.
The disclosures, which are expected to be made this week, will
mark the first time Whitehall has made a major release of secret
information on how policy decisions over large and risky IT
projects and programmes are taken.
In 2005, days after the Freedom of Information Act came into
force, Computer Weekly formally applied for details of an IT
seminar held at Downing Street in February 2002, chaired by the
then prime minister, Tony Blair. Decisions at the seminar led to
the launch of what became the £12.4bn National Programme for IT in
the NHS.
The government formally rejected Computer Weekly's request three
times. The case was due to come before the
Information
Tribunal on 11 February, but last week the government's lawyers
unexpectedly withdrew from the appeal. The
Cabinet Office will
now release the information.
The NHS IT programme has been dogged by problems and Computer
Weekly has sought information on whether the risks were
sufficiently discussed and assumptions challenged.
Papers now expected to be released include:
● A submission to the prime minister explaining the background
to the meeting and giving him a steer on questions to raise
● A record of what was said at the Downing Street meeting
Two months ago Computer Weekly submitted a paper to the tribunal
setting out the public interest arguments in favour of disclosing
the Downing Street papers. The tribunal decided formally to accept
our evidence as part of the case, which appears to have been a
factor in the decision of the Cabinet Office to withdraw its
appeal.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said, "Having re-examined the balance
of public interest, the Cabinet Office has decided to withdraw from
its appeal to the Information Tribunal."
Some NPfIT “major issues” - did the PM get a full briefing in
2007?
Computer Weekly's battle to release
documents
Computer Weekly formally applied for details of an IT seminar
held at Downing Street in 2005, days after the Freedom Of
Information Act came into force.
The Cabinet Office, acting on behalf of Downing Street, twice
rejected our request, so we appealed to the information
commissioner, Richard Thomas. Last August, Thomas ordered the
Cabinet Office to release the Downing Street papers, citing some of
Computer Weekly's arguments in favour of their disclosure.
Lawyers acting for Downing Street appealed against the ruling.
They set out a series of detailed legal arguments on why
discussions related to government policy on IT programmes should be
kept secret.
The appeal was due to come before the Information Tribunal on 11
February, but last week the government's lawyers withdrew
unexpectedly.