Letter from the Clerk to the Chairman
of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on the leak of the draft
Football Governance Report
On Thursday 7 July a Chairman's draft of the Football
Governance Report was circulated in hard copy, enclosed in two
envelopes, clearly labelled as strictly confidential. I understand
that you received a copy. The Committee considered that draft
Report at its meeting on Tuesday 12 July. A revised draft of the
Report was subsequently produced and circulated.
On Wednesday 13 July an article written by Paul Kelso
and entitled "MPs insist on radical reform before Football
Association can be trusted to run football" appeared in the
Daily Telegraph. The article contained detailed information
about the content of the draft Report.
The House debated the issue of leaks on 20 May 1986
and resolved "That this House takes note of the First Report
of the Committee of Privileges (HC 376); believes that it would
be proper to punish an honourable Member who disclosed the draft
Report of a select committee before it had been reported to the
House; but considers that it would be wrong to punish a journalist
merely for doing his job".
The House has agreed the procedures to be followed
in such cases. Everyone who had access to the Report or who was
present at the meeting to discuss it must be asked whether they
know anything about the leak. I therefore write to ask you formally
if you can explain how such a leak came about.
I also request that you verify that nobody in your
office had sight of the draft Report. If they did you will also
need to ask them whether they can explain how the leak came about
and to include their answer in your written response.
I would be grateful for a response by 10 a.m. on
Tuesday 19 July.
Emily Commander
Clerk, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
15 July 2011
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