Richard Burgon

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Thank you for allowing me to make this point of order and apologies for not making you aware of it in advance. I have just seen an email response from the private investigation organisation APCO in response to my subject access request, which says that “this has produced a large volume of data” and that they “therefore require additional time in which to supply our response to you”. It adds: “This has made the response to your DSAR complex in accordance with the statutory framework.” Labour Together responded: “we will need some further time to complete this work”, saying that they may need up to 18 May. Madam Deputy Speaker, will you provide guidance on how the democratic and political rights of elected Members can be protected when a private investigation firm states that it has gathered a large volume of data in relation to us? By arguing that it is some way complex, it clearly holds a large volume of data. What guidance can you give as to how our democratic duties and political freedoms can be protected when a private investigation firm is operating in this way?