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Secret Stansted data 'must be made public'

Secret government data on plans to build a second runway at Stansted must be made public, argues a report out today.

The Information Commissioners Office publishes a report today which rules that the Stansted data must be released because of the public interest in the future of air transport and the impact it could have on lives, the economy and the environment.

The ruling follows a freedom of information request for documents relating to the 2003 white paper on air transport.

The transport department, which is criticised in the report, argued that future policymaking would be prejudiced by disclosure.

The initial request was made three years ago and the ICO says if the information had been made available at the time more informed debate could have taken place about a possible second runway.

The second runway proposal, which BAA has said could allow Stansted to match Heathrow’s existing capacity, has met fierce opposition from environmental campaigners.