Freedom too far?

When does our right to know undermine the right to good government?

Lord O'Donnell has misgivings about the Freedom of Information Act

According to the former head of the civil service, it's when the advice civil servants give to ministers in private meetings is forced into the open.

Carolyn's been talking to Gus - now Lord - O'Donnell about his misgivings about the Freedom of Information Act.

He retired from his post in December having served under several Prime Ministers.

He told Carolyn he was extremely concerned about requests under the Act to release so called 'risk registers' held by Whitehall departments to assess the consequences, for example, of war or another financial crisis.

The Ministry of Justice is reviewing freedom of information and Lord O'Donnell hopes it will result in stronger protection for advice given by officials to ministers.