Readers will remember how last month Guido revealed that Prince Charles had a spy on secondment in the Cabinet Office. There was a distinct whiff of a cover-up, Guido’s sources had no idea the mystery man or woman existed and the Cabinet Office refused to disclose their identity. This blog then learned that the Household of the Prince of Wales employee was on a “specialist policy” mission in the department. Guido has now received the response to his subsequent FoI request. It has been rejected.

Despite confirming they hold the information, the Cabinet Office is refusing to reveal when the spy began his/her secondment in the department, and how many days a week he/she works. They have refused to disclose a job description or reveal what responsibilities and duties the employee has, despite them being paid up to £30,000 of taxpayers’ money a year. They have also declined to reveal what level of security clearance he/she holds.

They cite the Data Protection Act, claiming “personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully”. Guido fails to see how any of the information he requested would contravene the DPA. This relates to how £30,000-a-year of taxpayers’ money is being spent, it is without doubt in the public interest. What possible reason could the Cabinet Office have for such secrecy? Guido will be taking this higher…