Secrecy and lack of accountability in the Department for Education

[muminlondon]

I just saw these reports

Michael Gove faces questions over department's use of private email

Emails blocked by Gove adviser

the FT's reporting is much more coherent, fwiw. It's obviously not good if any government official is trying to evade FOI requests, though every party has had its share of ducking those in various ways. You have to think it goes on all the time though (use of personal email) so maybe this scandal will lead to some clearer rules.

This is the quote that stood out for me:

"i will only answer things that come from gmail accounts from people who i know who they are. i suggest that you do the same in general but thats obv up to you guys ? i can explain in person the reason for this ?"

There has been a series of rushed announcements and fastrack legislation - this just reinforces a picture of an elitist group of friends talking amongst themselves and using taxpayer's money for pet projects or their own personal gain. Hello! Voters/taxpayers are out here!