Delay to information Bill showdown

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A controversial Bill granting MPs and peers immunity to the Freedom of Information Act had been expected to come before the Commons.

But it has emerged that the backbench Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill had been withdrawn until May 18.

Opponents of the measure suggested its sponsor, former Tory chief whip David Maclean, had deferred it until after next week's elections so that he could draft in more support.

They thought they had killed off the Bill after a marathon debate in the Commons last Friday, but a quirk of parliamentary procedure revived its chances.

Labour MP David Winnick said: "It would be quite wrong for MPs opposed to Mr Maclean's Bill to come to the conclusion that it's all finished and done with.

"It may be that he has deferred his Bill in order to get more people on May 18 when the elections will be over.

"So the danger remains and therefore I would strongly urge colleagues who feel as I do to come in and oppose it.

"Exempting MPs from the Freedom of Information Act can only bring the House of Commons into disrepute."