FOI Network Rail and Stonewall

[OhHolyJesus]

This is genius!

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/theimpacttofnetworkkrail_being?fbclid=IwAR2YLSqqcslRDgXDDAVdEBXM5Xwog3vyplMPwvFy093tfYINDPtQysvDNfM

Also, not political huh? From 2018.

That is excellent, and, delightfully, is easily replicable across the board. The author of the letter makes the key points very succinctly.

Each time I hope my hopes in this area they are swiftly dashed. Is there now a risk that the what do we know website will be harassed in the same fashion as Crowd Justice with the Allison Bailey page?

Am looking forward to hearing the response

Possibly but I doubt it. It's used by journalists and is committed to free speech in the sense that public bodies have to be transparent.

It's run by mySociety which is global. They have a clear code of conduct (listing gender not sex).

I'm sure someone will have a go at some point, but to close it would be a real threat to free speech as, as far as I'm aware, it is the only public domain where FOIs are shared.

Each time I hope my hopes in this area they are swiftly dashed. Is there now a risk that the what do we know website will be harassed in the same fashion as Crowd Justice with the Allison Bailey page?

I don't think they'll do that. TRAs make quite a lot of use of the what do they know site. Sometimes it saves us the bother of making the requests ourselves, like in this request to the BBC.

Minutes from meeting resulting in links to Transgender organisations/resources being taken off the BBC Action Line page.

Also, the site only receives and forwards the requests and the responses and publishes them. They don't intervene in any way.

Requests can also be made directly to organisations using a direct email or letter, and many organisations release their responses on their own websites. So closing down the site wouldn't stop anyone making requests, it would just make them less visible. But I think it's too big to be closed down by a few people with an agenda - there are thousands of requests on there every day.

Thanks both. That's reassuring.

That is very good! Holding response was given today I see.

I wasn't clear what your second post meant though OP, about 2018? But I may be missing something!

Anyone know why they've gone after Network Rail?

That's a pretty hard FOI to answer, I feel sorry for the team dealing with that one!

Good template though to challenge other companies

Well it was Network Rail that removed the I love JK Rowling poster for being political while having a political symbol in their logo

Anyone know why they've gone after Network Rail?

Probably because of this:
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/love-jk-rowling-poster-removed-18686005

Sorry ahag was assuming knowledge.

Network Rail removed the I❤️JKR poster as it was connected to a 'political view' or some such nonsense.

Aside from their obvious support of Pride (which started as a riot, has become a party or a movement within politics around human rights originally, now just appears to be a corporate rainbow coloured machine) the screenshot in my second post shows posters on display at the same station in 2018, which could be considered political if they are applying that same position.

So racists and transphobes not welcome and nor are fans of a this author of best selling children's books. Who decides these things I don't know. It's unhinged.

Other thread here

I love JK Rowling poster removed by Network Rail for being 'political' after 'transphobic' complaint www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3982298-I-love-JK-Rowling-poster-removed-by-Network-Rail-for-being-political-after-transphobic-complaint

How long do these things usually take?

They should reply within 20 working days. There's a response on there now saying they'll reply by 28th August.

Haha - running late? Snowflakes on the lines?

Whackamole.

Is there now a risk that the what do we know website will be harassed in the same fashion as Crowd Justice with the Allison Bailey page?

What would the benefit of that be? Anyone can do a foi - you don’t need to use what do we know, you can just email the organisation directly.

Thanks OP, I get it now - I knew about the JKR poster, but when I read your posts earlier the photo wasn't loading for me so I didn't get the 2018 reference! But it all makes sense now (and I remember those ads too).

Bumping this thread because the response is now in.

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/the_impact_of_network_rail_being#incoming-1630286

Initial observation is that Network Rail don't know what the protected characteristics in the Equality Act are.

Well colour me fucking surprised that Network Rail have no idea what the EA actually covers 🙄 Morons!

However, to provide you with some explanation in response to your request, I can advise you that under the Equality Act 2010 gender and gender reassignment are protected characteristics. Please find below a link to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy

Oh dear Network Rails policy is based on Stonewall law, rather than the actual law.

AHahahaha 😆 im already relishing OP response pointing out that they are completely wrong as regards the protected characteristics

Well, that's a bit embarrassing for them.
They've been taken for fools.

It needs an FOI on who was consulted and who provided advice when they drafted this policy.

We can guess, but it would be good to have it in writing

I can't see a response from s White. Have they replied to tell them they're all wrong about the Equality act? This is why Ann Sinnot's judicial review is so desperately needed!