March 2005 Archives

Why is the Mayor being so arrogant and secretive ?

Surely, if there is "nothing to hide", he has "nothing to fear" ?

The Sunday Times reports that:

"The Sunday Times March 20, 2005

Livingstone admits to a 'shredder week'
Andrew Porter, Deputy Political Editor

KEN LIVINGSTONE, the London mayor, has admitted that his office had a "shredding week" to destroy documents ahead of new disclosure rules under the Freedom of Information Act.

The admission, made during mayor’s question time at the London assembly, has prompted a complaint to Richard Thomas, the information commissioner.

Livingstone had been challenged by Sally Hamwee, a Liberal Democrat member, over his office’s inadequate replies to requests for papers.

He responded by asking his opponents to be "more precise" if there is "anything particularly juicy you want to get your hands on".

But he added: "There is almost nothing juicy in there; we never minute anything interesting. If there was, it was lost during shredding week just before January 1, 2005.

The comments have outraged his political opponents. They claim he has failed to release key documents on subjects including fare increases and salaries paid to top advisers and consultants."

"Graham Tope, leader of the Lib Dems in the assembly, has called on the information commissioner to ensure that the Labour mayor cannot hide behind "a wall of secrecy and silence".

He said: "Some of the key decisions since Livingstone took office have cost London taxpayers hundreds of millions yet we have been told very little about them."

"It is deeply worrying that the mayor has shown such arrogant contempt for freedom of information laws."

Livingstone's opponents wish to look at his claims in his re-election campaign last year that there were unlikely to be above-inflation price rises in public transport, which is not now going to be the case. Opponents say he must have had meetings about the increases with Transport for London before the mayoral election last June."

Email us if you are interested in being interviewd over the phone for this EC1 FM (87.7fm) community radio show, which seems to have a temporary licence between 14th and 24th March, operating out of City University:

"Hello!

I'm writing from EC1FM, a community radio station. We are doing a
short feature on the Olympic bid, and it's pros and cons, on Monday
morning. We are trying to find a guest that could explain their
reasons why they are against the bid. The interview would take place,
over the phone, at 11:04. Is there any chance you could put someone up
for interview? I would be very grateful for any help you could give
us.

Adrian
Producer
midmorning show."

At least they had the decency to give more than a couple of hours notice of their progrramme interview slot, unlike some broadcasters.

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Hints and Tips for Whistleblowers

There are many good people trapped in the bureaucracies which run London. If you are thinking about blowing the whistle on shadowy and powerful people in Government or commerce, and their dubious policies then you need be very careful these days. The mainstream media and bloggers also need to take simple precautions to help preserve the anonymity of their sources e.g.

Links

Wikipedia article on the Mayor of London

Wikipedia article on the London Assembly

The Evening Standard newspaper - fulfills its role by scrutinising the Mayor and the GLA etc. rather more effectively than the politicians and bureaucrats do.

Mayor of London press releases

London Assembly press releases

MayorWatch - commercial news site about the Mayor of London etc.

Campaign Button Links

Watching Them, Watching Us, UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign
UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign

NO2ID - opposition to the NuLabour Compulsory Biometric ID Card
NO2ID - opposition to NuLabour's plans for Compulsory Biometric ID Card and National Identity Register centralised database.

asboconcern logo
ASBO Concern - alliance of organisations and individuals who are concerned about the abuse of NuLabour's Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

MI5 encrypted contact web form use 999 or 112 to report immediate threats
Encrypted MI5 web response form NuLabour's "Climate of Fear" is not the same as the real fight against terror.

gamesmonitor_logo_150.gif Games Monitor - "Games Monitor is a network of people raising awareness about issues within the London Olympic development processes. We want to highlight the local, London and international implications of the Olympic industry. We seek to deconstruct the 'fantastic' hype of Olympic boosterism and the eager complicity of the 'urban elites' in politics, business, the media, sport, academia and local institutional 'community stakeholders'. "

Peaceful resistance to the curtailment of our rights to Free Assembly and Free Speech in the SOCPA Designated Area around Parliament Square and beyond
Parliament Protest blog - resistance to the Designated Area resticting peaceful demonstrations or lobbying in the vicinity of Parliament.

Save Parliament: Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill (and other issues)
Save Parliament - Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill Act

Ken Livingstone Links

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