In New Zealand there is no doubt that emails or texts between, to or from Ministers even to and/or from private email addresses or phones are not protected from the OIA. The issue is to be considered in the UK after what some consider a surprise ruling there.
MPs are planning to consider whether freedom of information requests are being too widely granted, following a ruling that they should apply to private emails and even text messages between ministers.
The chairman of the public administration committee, Bernard Jenkin, is understood to be considering a select committee inquiry next year in the wake of the recent ruling by Christopher Graham, the information commissioner.
Graham ruled that information held in private email accounts by public authorities can be subject to FoI law if it relates to official business.
