5 January 2009

Mr T Nunn

Via email ([email address])

Our ref: CS/08/0123/HJP

(Please quote our reference when contacting us)

If telephoning contact Hilary Pook on 020 7217 4734

or if using email send to: [email address]

Dear Mr Nunn

Request for information

You reminded me on Christmas Eve that I have not responded to your request made on 23 November. I apologise for not responding sooner - I'm afraid this particular email got overlooked, and this is my first day back in the office since 22 December.

You asked how many times over the last 10 years that the Local Government Ombudsman has brought evidence to the attention of a public authority that proves one of their staff has lied during an investigation.

This is not information that is separately recorded anywhere so would only be information that is included as part of the file on a complaint. We only keep these complete files for 12 months after the case is closed and decision letters for five years, so essentially this information is not held the whole scope of your requestion.

In addition, the Freedom of Information Act (section 44) does not override any restriction on the release of information covered by an earlier law. Under the Local Government Act 1974 (section 32(2)), the Ombudsman is not permitted to disclose any information obtained in the course of, or for the purposes of, the investigation of a complaint, unless he or she considers it is necessary for the purposes of the investigation (or for other very limited reasons mostly related to legal proceedings). The information you are requesting is covered by this exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

That concludes my response and I hope you find the information useful. If you feel I have not dealt properly with your request, you have the right to appeal and, should you wish to do so, I can supply a copy our internal complaints procedure. You also have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner to determine whether your request has been properly dealt with. You should note however that the Commissioner will not consider any complaint where you have not first exhausted our internal complaints process or where there has been undue delay in contacting him. You will be able to obtain further details of the Information Commissioner's role from the website on www.ico.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely

Hilary Pook (Ms)

Communications and Records Manager

LGO 01 (03/08)