Secret Cabinet minutes on Iraq must be made public,

[spindrifter]

tribunal rules

From Times Online January 27, 2009

Emily Gosden

Minutes of Cabinet discussions on the legality of war in Iraq have been ordered to be made public by the Information Tribunal, which today rejected appeals by the head of the civil service to keep them secret.

Ministers must now decide within weeks whether to publish the minutes or consider unprecedented action in imposing a ministerial veto blocking the release.

A Cabinet Office Minister would have to sign a certificate declaring the veto within the next 20 working days. Such a veto has never been used before and there is no power to oppose it. Alternatively they could lodge an appeal to the High Court within the next 28 days.

Almost all members of the Cabinet are deeply hostile to the idea that the minutes should be published because they believe they have the right to discuss controversial matters in private.

<more>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5599663.ece