Hackney: I'll have to complain to the ICO

Well, the Hackney story is developing so I've decided to create a dedicated Hackney category so you can click and read the whole saga.

Anyway, I've just had a response today:

"Dear Mr Mills

Re: Freedom of Information Request - Nike

Please accept my apologies for the delay in further responding to you. I have considered again your representations made on 17 May 2007. Solicitors acting for Nike Solicitors [sic] have raised strong objection against disclosure and whilst we recognise the force of your argument and level of public interest in disclosure we are standing by our refusal to disclose the relevant information.

We would invite you therefore if you wish to pursue this to raise it formally with the Information Commissioner.

Yours faithfully,

Etc etc"

To make a complaint to the Information Commissioner visit the complaints page of his website. I've downloaded the complaint form and started completing it (strangely, if you download the form as a Word document it's a tracked-changed document not saved in final format and completing the details in the form looks like further edits!).

Any views from readers on whether I should submit the complaint or let the matter lie?

Comments

[Stuart Langridge]

I personally think that you should continue; the spectre of a public organisation blustering its way out of legal obligations under FOIA is hardly unknown, but I didn't think they'd have the chutzpah to do it to a real lawyer as opposed to us ordinary members of the public :-)

[scott]

fight the good fight...if only on principle.

[Rupert White]

You've got to carry on! FOI canned over objections from commercial firm? Even though the public interest is openly recognised? Give 'em hell.

[Scott V]

A no-brainer. Get that letter off to Richard Thomas.

[Hackney Resident]

Did you ever send it off?

[Andrew Mills]

Not yet, but must do so shortly! Thanks for the prod!