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Defence research agency must be subject to Freedom of Information, say campaigners and MPs

Transparency group writes to information watchdog as leading MPs and peers call for government to reverse decision to exclude £800m project from Freedom of Information

By Peter Geoghegan
Defence research agency must be subject to Freedom of Information, say campaigners and MPs
Labour MP John McDonnell accused the government of a 'growing culture of secrecy' over the plans | Victoria Jones/PA Archive/PA Images
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The British government is under increasing pressure to make a new high-profile defence research agency subject to Freedom of Information legislation.

The government has announced plans for a £800m defence research agency, which will operate at arm's length from Whitehall and invest in “high-risk, high-reward” projects.

Ministers have said that the new body, the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), will be exempted from Freedom of Information laws that typically apply to all British public bodies.

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