Liverpool City Council have been ordered to release the names of two elected councillors who were summoned to court over non-payment of council tax.
Following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Liverpool Echo, two councillors were revealed to have received summons to court in the last five years.
The Echo argued that the case was in the public interest and that the names should be released.
However, the council refused, arguing the information was personal to the councillors.
The case was then referred to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), a government office that upholds information rights in the public interest.
The ICO said: “The commissioner appreciates that there is a legitimate interest in the public knowing when councillors have failed to pay council tax and who those councillors are.”
The decision by the ICO was that the council was wrong to not reveal the names.
They stated that the council now have 35 calendar days from April 8th to “disclose the withheld information.”
Failure to do so could result in a contempt of court charge.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “The council recognises the important principles which apply in this case and welcomes the ICO’s involvement. We will now carefully consider the ICO’s decision.”
The council have 28 days to appeal the decision.
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