How scandals were exposed and the truth was revealed

Manchester: It all started two decades ago when the Freedom of Information Act came into play. This law changed the game, letting us dig into the secrets held by public authorities.

When it kicked off on January 1, 2005, it was a big win for transparency. But not everyone was thrilled. Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister, even called it one of his biggest blunders.

Despite the pushback, this act has become a lifeline for journalists. It’s helped outlets like the Manchester Evening News uncover some jaw-dropping stories that would have stayed hidden otherwise.

One of the most notable moments was when investigative journalist Heather Brooke used the act to blow the lid off the 2009 expenses scandal. She revealed how politicians were misusing their allowances, and it was a real eye-opener for the public.

Thanks to a series of requests, we learned about outrageous claims, like a Tory MP asking for £1,645 for a fancy duck house. Seriously, a duck house!

Details about MPs’ expenses showed some were playing a game called “flipping,” where they changed their main address for tax benefits. It was a mess, and many Greater Manchester MPs were caught up in it.

The fallout was huge. There were resignations, sackings, and even jail time for some. In total, 392 politicians had to pay back £1.3 million in wrongly claimed expenses. It also led to the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to keep things in check.

Over the years, the Manchester Evening News has used this law to shine a light on many important issues. For instance, they uncovered how the late Sir Cyril Smith tried to intimidate police investigating child abuse claims against him.

In another shocking reveal, they found that sex offenders had been given taxi licenses, putting vulnerable people at risk. And let’s not forget the stolen laptops from a hospital that held sensitive info about over 10,000 patients.

There were even bizarre stories, like a crime spree involving people dressed as clowns. Can you believe that? Clowns committing crimes!

And it doesn’t stop there. The MEN reported on how two kids, just seven and eight years old, were suspected of rape. It’s a wild world out there.

In 2023, they found that over 10,000 patients waited more than 24 hours in A&E before getting admitted. That’s a serious issue for our healthcare system.

Overall, the Freedom of Information Act has sparked a cultural shift. It’s made things like food hygiene ratings public, so we know what we’re eating.

As we celebrate 20 years of this act, it’s clear that transparency and accountability are crucial for our democracy. People have the right to know what’s happening with their taxes and public services.

So, here’s to the Freedom of Information Act and all the truths it has helped uncover!