BBC loses ‘Fallagate’ information appeal

Friday 14th March 2008, 2:29PM GMT.

THE BBC has lost its appeal against the Wales Audit Office’s refusal to release further information concerning its investigation of the withdrawn clinical block tender.

The BBC tried to use the Freedom of Information Act to get the decision overturned. The WAO had argued that releasing further information would inhibit the frankness, candour and voluntary cooperation of interviewees and discourage future cooperation.

Jon Tomkinson, of the Wales Information Commissioner’s Office, said a tribunal had upheld the WAO’s decision and taken the view that greater disclosure could prejudice the exercise of its audit functions. BBC Guernsey managing editor David Martin said the challenge was justifiable.