A FORMER East Lancashire MP is to be at the heart of a body that could decide the future of a critical UK freedom of information law.

Jack Straw, who stepped down as Blackburn MP in May, has been appointed to a panel to review the Freedom of Information Act.

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The former home secretary, who introduced the legislation in 2000, has said that he will keep an ‘open mind’ throughout the process.

The review was launched by the Cabinet Office amid concerns within government that ‘sensitive information’ was not being protected.

Former prime minister Tony Blair has previously stated that one of his ‘biggest regrets’ during his time in office was introducing the bill.

Mr Straw said: “I think that it’s right to review the operation of the act. Now that a review is going to take place I am not going to provide a running commentary on it. However, I have to say that I have never been in the same place as Tony on this issue.

“I have never been part of an independent review before and we will work to assess all the evidence that comes before us.”

Andrew Stephenson, the Conservative MP for Pendle, said: “I think that the act in principle is a good thing but I have some sympathy for what Tony Blair wrote in his autobiography lamenting its introduction.

“It can be abused by people seeking information that should not be in the public domain or just wanting trivia.

“However, it is a tool that backbench MPs, members of the public and journalists can use to access information and I support the act as a whole.”

Graham Jones, the Labour MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said: “I think that this is well worth looking in to.

“I think that it’s an important part of democracy that people get answers to their questions.”

Tories Nigel Evans, who represents the Ribble Valley, and Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry, both welcomed Mr Straw’s the review saying that it would help make it more ‘efficient’.