ICO – GOVERNMENT MINISTERS – Disclosing their convictions – a breach of their privacy – REALLY ?
NEWS – “without comment”
Ministers’ criminal records can stay secret as disclosing convictions ‘breaches their privacy’, Government’s watchdog rules
By ADAM POGRUND
Published: 24 November 2025
The criminal records of ministers can stay secret because disclosing their convictions would be a breach of their privacy, the Government’s watchdog has ruled.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) refused to compel the Cabinet Office to disclose how many ministers had criminal convictions before they took office, ruling their right to privacy was more important than the public being made aware.
It accepted the cabinet’s claim that revealing their convictions might create a ‘jigsaw’ effect which could identify individuals following repeated requests.
The watchdog supported the view that a minister could be exposed if the cabinet revealed one member had a criminal record, that minister then resigned, and the cabinet later revealed no members held criminal records.
Ministers must currently declare previous convictions, alongside relevant business activity and tax disputes, to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent advisor on ministerial standards.
He then determines what should be made publicly available on the ministerial register of interests.
A judge found that this potential for disruption was ‘not a prejudice, but indeed a positive’, the newspaper reported.
‘If the public are able to see active change as a result of controversies, changing circumstances or advice from the independent adviser, it can do nothing but boost the public confidence in the integrity of the process,’ they said.
But the ICO upheld the cabinet’s decision.
Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson, branded the ruling astonishing.
Ministers hiding convictions ‘wouldn’t be privacy’ but ‘secrecy’, she said.
‘Shutting out the public and preventing transparency has no place in our democracy.
‘We are calling for a change to the ministerial code so that declaring a criminal record is made a condition of being a minister.’
The ICO has been contacted for comment.
Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)
www.WAPI.org
Disclaimer: News items in W.A.P.I.’s “News Without Comment” section are republished articles from external sources. W.A.P.I. is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material. Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher. W.A.P.I. will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.