Stephanie Pearson, the information governance officer of Nottingham City Council, has refused to provide information requested by a councillor about "culture and leadership" within the authority on the grounds that the information is not in the public interest (February 19). She also claims that Coun Sutton has not demonstrated a need to know the contents of the report.

One may wonder where Ms Pearson has been for the last few years. The "need to know" principle, so much valued by secretive bureaucrats as a means of defending their positions and repelling awkward enquiries into their activities, went out of the window with the Freedom of Information Act. The guiding principles are now "right to know" and "want to know". No one any longer has to show why they need the information. If a council has information, it must provide it on request, subject to a few very well-defined exceptions. The Act makes it clear that embarrassment to a council is not sufficient reason for withholding information. The Act also makes it clear that it is not a council's job to decide what is or is not relevant.

Ms. Pearson tries to justify secrecy on the grounds that open disclosure of the council's affairs would be damaging. But there is no legal justification for this. Nine years after the Act, it seems that the culture of secrecy is still alive and well in some sectors of local government. I urge Ms. Pearson and her employers to comply with their obligations to provide information which has been lawfully requested.

(Coun) Sam Boote Liberal Democrat Rushcliffe Borough Council