Last Friday (24th of March 2017) my Private Members Bill, The Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill received its third reading and completed its journey through the House of Commons.
The bill will give journalists, including citizen journalists, the right for one month to inspect the accounting records of the financial year just ended of any relevant authority and request copies of these documents without being required to ‘have an interest’ in that authority.
The Bill is an important tool for journalists and will aid their investigations, and by publishing their findings, will provide local electors with information that may enable them to question the auditor or raise an objection. At its heart the bill is about enabling journalists and local people to better hold their local authority to account for their spending decisions. The bill will now enter the House of Lords where it will receive further consideration.
You can find more information regarding my Bill at the following link: https://goo.gl/odbpYI