Record number of Government documents kept secret

A record number of sensitive Government documents are being kept secret, including on issues like military ties with Saudi Arabia and a Royal visit to the Middle East.

Fears over transparency have been raised after it was reported Government departments have applied to withhold 986 documents from 1986 and 1987 which were due to be released to the National Archives.

The papers should have been released and made available for public inspection under the so-called 30-year rule, but documents can be kept secret if publication would undermine foreign relations, defence or security.

According to The Times, 40 of the documents were connected to India, including papers on UK defence sales and the Indian national security guard.

Another 15 relate to Saudi Arabia, including one on the "sale of Tornado and Hawk aircraft" and "training for Saudi Arabian special forces".

A visit by Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, to the Middle East in 1986 was the subject of some 27 papers also retained by the Government.

The Advisory Council on National Records and Archives has criticised the way applications to retain documents were being made.

The council, chaired by Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, received 986 retention applications, an increase of 4% on 2015-16 and more than 25% higher than 2014-15.

It said there had been a "noticeable trend" of departments withdrawing their applications when challenged, which happened 22 times compared with four occasions in 2015-16 – suggesting officials "had not given enough thought to the request".

Part of the reason for the increase is thought to be the shift from releasing records every 30 years to every 20 years, which means departments have to review two years’ worth of material every year from 2013 to 2023 to catch up with the new schedule.

Robert Barrington, executive director of Transparency International UK, said the report suggests a "culture of opacity" still exists in many Government departments.

"A lack of disclosure can often lead to concerns that the Government has something to hide and therefore transparency is the best measure to ensure public trust," he said.

A Government spokesman said: "This is the most transparent government in history and we are committed to making public as many records as possible, while balancing the need to protect the small amount of information that remains sensitive.

"Last year 95% of government records that were transferred to the National Archives were made public and since 2013 the Government has doubled the amount of material it reviews and releases each year, as we honour our commitment of releasing documents after 20 years."

(c) Sky News 2017: Record number of Government documents kept secret