Secrets stay secret under new data law

The first figures on the new Freedom of Information Act show that most requests for data are being thrown out.

Only 44 per cent of all FoI applications for information from Whitehall departments and other bodies are granted in full.

Almost a fifth are rejected completely, while the rest receive partial responses or are put "on hold".

The new law, designed to

make records kept by public bodies more open and accessible, was introduced in January.

A spokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said: "Success should not be judged on early statistics."

The Conservatives dubbed the Act a "shambles".