New Ombudsman opinion

The Ombudsman has published his opinion on a complaint concerning the Police refusal to release information about a charging decision.

The complainant wanted to know ‘how and why’ Police preferred a charge of careless use of a firearm over manslaughter, in relation to the hunting death of Alexander Cameron McDonald.

The information at issue was ‘legally privileged’ and protected by section 9(2)(h) of the OIA, but the Ombudsman considered that the public interest required disclosure of a summary of the reasons. This would serve to increase the transparency of the decision-making process and promote accountability of the Police for their decision.

You can read the full opinion here.

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