Are investigations or decisions of the LGO fair/reliable?

Theresa Ezekpo made this Freedom of Information request to Local Government Ombudsmen

The request was refused by Local Government Ombudsmen.

From: Theresa Ezekpo

21 July 2010

Dear Local Government Ombudsmen,

Please can you provide me with the following information under the
freedom of information Act 2000:

1. The total number of recorded complaints, which were made about
Camden council or its employees in the last five years

2. The total number of the recorded complaints, in part one, which
the ombudsman has investigated in the last five years.

3. A list of all the recorded instances, in the last five years, in
which the ombudsman has received statements, allegations or
complaint(s) that Camden Council or its employees(s) had lied, made
false written/verbal allegations/statements or fabricated evidence.

4. A list of all recorded instances, in the last five years, in
which the ombudsman had been offered or presented with
information/evidence in support of complaints, allegations or
statements that Camden Council or its employee(s) had lied, made
false allegations/statements or fabricated evidence.

5. A list of all recorded instances, in the last five years, in
which allegations, statements or information provided by Camden
council or its employee(s) have been disputed.

6. A list of all recorded instances, in the last five years, in
which the ombudsman has found that Camden council or Camden council
employee(s) had lied, made false statements/allegations or
fabricated evidence.

If you require clarification of any part of this request, please
let me know and I will try my best to do so.

I look forward to receiving your reply soon.

Yours faithfully,

Theresa Ezekpo

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From: Foi Officer
Local Government Ombudsmen

21 July 2010

Dear Ms Ezekpo

Our ref: CS/10/076

This is to acknowledge receipt of your request below received on 21 July. We will respond within the 20 working day target (which would be by 18 August 2010) or, if unable to do so, we will write to you again explaining why.

Yours sincerely

Hilary Pook
Communications & Records Manager | DL: 020 7217 4734 |
Local Government Ombudsman's office | 10th Floor |
Millbank Tower | Millbank | London | SW1P 4QP |
www.lgo.org.uk |

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Trevor R Nunn left an annotation (21 July 2010)

I am sure they will attempt to use an FOI section 44 exemption based on LG Act section 32(2). However some of the information you have requested was not obtained in the course of, or for the purposes of, the investigation of a complaint.

Some of it would have been obtained before they decided to investigate, some of it would have been created after they concluded their investigation and some of it would have been created as a result of the investigation rather than obtained in the course of or for the purposes of an investigation.

Be prepared to complain to the ICO.

http://lgowatcher.blogspot.com/2010/02/l...

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From: Foi Officer
Local Government Ombudsmen

13 August 2010


Attachment CS 10 076 Ezekpo.doc
47K Download View as HTML


Dear Ms Ezekpo

I attach a letter in response to your request below.

Yours sincerely

Hilary Pook
Communications & Records Manager | DL: 020 7217 4734 |
Local Government Ombudsman's office | 10th Floor |
Millbank Tower | Millbank | London | SW1P 4QP |
www.lgo.org.uk |

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Trevor R Nunn left an annotation (13 August 2010)

I didn't know you had asked a similar question in an email of 24 December 2009. Unfortunately, that does give them a valid FOI exemption and saves them having to use any other exemption.

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