ID cards gateway reviews published

Government buying agency OGC finally publishes after four year battle

ID reviews to see light of day

The government yesterday published the gateway reviews of the National Identity Scheme after four years of legal wrangling.

Last month the Information Tribunal upheld a decision by the Information Commissioner requiring Whitehall buying agency the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) to disclose its Gateway Reviews for the National Identity Scheme.

Gateway Reviews are designed to examine government projects at five stages in their progress to ensure they deliver the intended benefits and provide value for money.

The OGC has been consistently fighting the original Freedom of Information request to release the Gateway Reviews since it was made in January 2005, arguing that the candour of those assessing schemes would be adversely affected if participants knew the decision-making process could be made public.

Nigel Smith, chief executive of the OGC, indicated that the department would still aim to maintain the integrity of the gateway process when faced with further requests.

"The Information Tribunal has concluded that neither they nor the Information Commissioner believe all Gateway Reviews should be disclosed. OGC's approach to FOI will continue to aim to safeguard the interests of transparency while maintaining the integrity of the Gateway process," he said.

"Our commitment to transparency and public accountability is evident in the emphasis we have placed on publishing the results of a wide range of OGC activities, such as the Procurement Capability Reviews and delivery plans on sustainable procurement and operations on the Government estate."

It is the first time Gateway Reviews have ever been published.

Last month the Information Tribunal emphasised that its decision does not set a precedent for the future publication of Gateway Reviews, and only applied to this particular case.

"Neither the Commissioner nor the Tribunal believes that all Gateway Reviews should be disclosed. This decision applies only to the two Gateway Reviews which have been requested to be disclosed," its judgment said.