From the first day the Telegraph began printing information about MPs’ expenses Journalism.co.uk wanted to know what would happen to the data and how exactly it was being handled inside the ‘bunker’. An insight into the process would have been fascinating for journalists and non-journalists alike.
Would the expenses information ever be released in its pre-redacted format? Or would it be too much of a legal risk and detract from potential print sales?
Unfortunately, the Telegraph press office did not want to discuss the issue, and any enquiries made directly to journalists were forwarded to the press office. We were told we were on the waiting list to talk to someone about data, but we never heard anything.
Today, however, the big announcement was made, following the House of Commons’ official release of blacked-out and redacted data. The Telegraph will print a special supplement free with this Saturday’s Daily Telegraph. It’s a move reported here by the Guardian. The Telegraph also said:
“Inside the 68-page magazine supplement you will find files concerning all 646 MPs, with details of their Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) expenses for 2007-8, the most recent year for which figures are available.
“This is the first time that such detailed information about our elected representatives has been available in one place. It is an historic moment. We believe that our expenses files will help change the face of British politics for the better.”
Journalism.co.uk asked the press office if the information would be available online. No answer as yet.
But… we just spotted this exchange between the Telegraph.co.uk editor, Marcus Warren, and a follower on Twitter.
MarcusWa: @craigelder: i wld suggest everyone wait a day or two for the uncensored expenses to appear….
craigelder: @MarcusWa: Might we be seeing something on Saturday?
MarcusWa: @craigelder: in newspaper form yes, saturday http://bit.ly/10HiC8
MarcusWa: @craigelder i can also suggest that you ‘watch this space’…..
craigelder: @MarcusWa: I had a feeling! Looking forward to it. Any chance the data can be made available in some sort of *useful* online format as well?
MarcusWa: @craigelder: i can’t say as yet!!!
craigelder: @MarcusWa: You tease
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