New FOI Act Questions re Theresa May

by **Tony Bennett** 09.07.10 9:30

I have today sent these new questions to the Home Office Freedom of Information Act Section about continuing Home Office manoeuvres about a possible re-investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The Home Office involvement in preparing the ground for this is on a large scale and I would suggest unprecedented, given that we hear much about criminal investigations being 'police operational matters' and therefore nothing to do with Home Office Ministers and their officials.

I would invite anyone who shares my concerns about the lack of openness and transparency in this process to join with me in submitting these or similar questions:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Home Office Freedom of Information Act Section

QUESTIONS RE THERESA MAY ETC.

Please answer the following questions under Freedom of Information Act 2000, which follow numerous recent prominent press stories on the matters referred to in my questions::

1. In view of press reports about an 'exchange of letters' between Dr Gerald nand Dr Kate McCann and Theresa May, Home Secretary, please:
a) give the dates of any letters to and from each of the parties
b) supply copies of those letters.

2.Please supply the dates of any occasions when Home Secretary Theresa May has met the McCanns or plans to do so.

3. Please supply the dates of any occasions since 5 May 2010 when staff of the Home Office have met with, spoken to or communicated with the McCanns or their advisers

4. The Sunday Express recently referred to 'a Senior Home Office Official' supplying that newspaper with information about ongoing discussions with the McCanns and their advisers about a possible re-investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Who was that official and on what date was that conversation?

5. Recent press reports refer to Home Office officials compliing a 'costing exercise' report, commissioned by former Home Secretary Alan Johnson, into the likley cost of a new re-investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Please supply a copy of that report.

6. Recent press reports refer to Home Office officials compliing a 'feasibility study' to be undertaken into 'how a new investigation into Madeleine's disappearance could work'. Has that report been compiled yet; if so, please supply a copy of that report.

7. Recent press reports refer to a report on a possible re-investigation into Madeleine's disappearance having been 'completed' or 'concluded' by Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre. Please supply a copy of that report.

Yours sincerely

Anthony Bennett
66 Chippingfield
HARLOW
Essex
CM17 0DJ

Any e-mails should be sent simultaneously to these three addresses:

info.access@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk,
FOIResponses@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk,
public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

by pennylane 09.07.10 9:38

Good work as always Tony!

I sent one of my letters re the 'Review' to ...... mayt@parliament.uk

was this not a good address to use?

by **Tony Bennett** 09.07.10 9:43

pennylane wrote:Good work as always Tony!

I sent one of my letters re the 'Review' to: mayt@parliament.uk

Was this not a good address to use?

That address is in effect her Constutuency Office address in Parliament. It is primarily, though not exclusively by any means, for her constituents to be able to raise matters with her. If you are not one of her constituents, you may not get an answer or not a full answer.

A good tip is to write to your M.P. along these lines:

"I am very concerned about [such-and-such an issue], could you please raise my concerns with the government minister responsible?".

If the letter is phrased politely and there is an appropriate area of legitimate concern about government action within your letter, it stands a good chance of being answered and dealt with.