Government Transparency

So, with the publication of the First Tier Tribunals decision relating to the NHS risk register (which you can read here), are the Government going to live up to the expectations of the nation and finally release it for scrutiny? Or is this 'transparency' only limited to what the Government want people to see?

The tribunal’s decision clearly states 'The Appellant is required to disclose the Transitional Risk Register to the Second Respondent, with the name of the author of the document redacted, within 30 days of the date of this decision.' The decision was dated 5th April 2012, so in theory, the Government must produce the risk register by 10th May 2012 at the latest. The big question is, will they?

It is my opinion that, should the Government fail to produce the transitional risk register by the stipulated date, then all their posturing about transparency will be proved meaningless, and David Cameron will again be proved to be a liar. The Government cannot be selectively transparent, they either are transparent, or they are not. I further believe that, should the Government fail to act upon this legal requirement to produce the risk register, they will be displaying contempt for the people of this country and placing themselves above the law. This is a position normally associated with tyrannical dictatorships and it has no place in the democracy of the UK.