YESTERDAY'S report by the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information came as a surprise – but a welcome one.

Ever since it was announced this committee of Lords, a Dame and a former Home Secretary would be looking at the FoI Act, campaigners feared it would recommend the legislation being watered down.

It is a relief to see that will not be the case, but it begs the question why the Government ever tried this underhand attempt at weakening the Act in the first place.

The Oxford Mail cares passionately about every taxpayer's right to know what is being done with their money and in their name.

That is why this paper has run a campaign to support the Act remaining in its current form.