Blog on use of FOI by elected representatives

[RichardTaylor]

We should base this on information available in public on the site or elsewhere online.

Accounts to review for possible content

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/michelle_vince https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/tony_dixon https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/arfon_jones https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/billy_mcaloon https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/neil_nerva https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/helen_pollard_2 https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/ross_walker https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/crocels_news https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/rory_s_fiveash https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/ian_lewis_2 https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/pwharton https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/councillor_janet_thompson https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/rebecca_denness https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/john_cramp_2

Former councillor: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/clive_carter

Previous blog on this subject

https://www.mysociety.org/2009/11/28/whatdotheyknow-beats-parliamentary-question/

We could also note use by members of the House of Lords.

We should be alert to the potential for impersonation.

[ajparsons]

Mentioned a bit here: https://www.itspublicknowledge.info/foi-and-elected-representatives

And circles back to some links above but: https://research.mysociety.org/html/reforming-foi/l/6.3482.yxj7q.5ndm8.jglx8._8era.html

[WilliamWDTK]

There are also several users with MP in their username. Here are at least some of them:

• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/zarah_sultana_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/sharon_hodgson_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/office_of_diane_abbott_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/nicky_morgan_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/mike_hill_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/john_mcdonnell_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/dr_therese_coffey_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/dr_phillip_lee_mp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/david_amess_mp

And some with MSP:

• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/elaine_murray_msp
• https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/gordon_macdonald_msp

[confirmordeny]

What we shouldn't do is (a) state that people are who they say there are or (b) say that we think they are imposters - at least not without further discussion.

[garethrees]

Should note that they're not subject to FOI themselves.

User question (summarised):

I want to investigate the cost of my MP's staff. I've written to them multiple times but they don't answer. I want to understand whether they're following a fair recruitment process. Is there anything else I can do like make an FOI request?

@FOIMonkey's response:

MPs are not subject to FOI, and as they employ staff themselves, the info is unlikely to be held by anyone who is.

[RichardTaylor]

User question (summarised):

I want to investigate the cost of my MP's staff. I've written to them multiple times but they don't answer. I want to understand whether they're following a fair recruitment process. Is there anything else I can do like make an FOI request?

We list the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which sets, administers and regulates MPs’ staffing and business costs, pay, and pensions. While MPs are the employers of their staff IPSA may hold some of the information sought. IPSA also proactively publish quite a lot of information, though it can be very hard to get information out of their website.