Justification for the decision not to re-open the Gaul Investigation in the light of recent evidence and disclosures

Dear Sir or Madam,

Following on from my previous request for information and your
answer of 18 August 2008, which we consider to be rather inaccurate
and incomplete.
(http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ev...)

In your reply you stated that the Department held no technical
justification, recorded in any form, pertaining to the Secretary of
State's decision to re-open the Gaul Investigation on the grounds
offered by our disclosures and technical arguments.

I would therefore be grateful if you could provide us with a full
account of the reasoning (of whatever kind and however held or
expressed) behind the Secretary of State's decision not to re-open
the Gaul Formal Investigation.

May I repeat that in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act
1985, it is the obligation of the Secretary of State for Transport
to consider contesting evidence and decide on a possible re-opening
of the investigation on that basis. We have provided ample evidence
(including new and important evidence items), which invalidates the
conclusions of the 2004 RFI, and we have made a number of
disclosures, which clearly indicate that a miscarriage of
justice had occurred.
May I also add that our argumentation was put together by a naval
architect, employee of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (an
executive agency of the DfT and main source of specialist advice
for the Department) who had been personally involved in the
research leading to the 2004 inquiry.

Looking forward to your prompt reply, I thank you in advance.

Yours faithfully,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Sir or Madam,

This is to kindly remind you that you have not sent any
confirmation of receipt of my Freedom of Information request dated
11 September 2008, as it would be customary and proper.

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Sir or Madam,

Why is the Department refusing to acknowledge receipt of my FOI
request above?

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Sir or Madam,

This is to remind you that, once again, you have failed to answer
my FOI request above within the prescribed 20 working days, and
that you are, therefore, breaking the law.

I would be grateful if you could send me a reply in the very near
future.

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Sir or Madam,

Following on from my FOI request of 11 September 2008 to which the
Department has not replied within the 20 working days allowed by
law, I am now writing to you to request an internal review.

Grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this communication.

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Theresa Crossley,

In your reply of 13th October 2008, you advised me that the
Department "is preparing a comprehensive statement of the Secretary
of State's position on the matter of the Gaul inquiry" and that you
expected to send that statement to me "shortly".

As a month has already passed since that announcement, I would be
grateful if you could let me know when I should expect that
comprehensive statement to be issued.

Many thanks and best regards,

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale