OFR scrapping goes to court
Friends of the Earth applies for judicial review
Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth today launched its
anticipated judicial review proceedings against chancellor Gordon Brown and DTI
secretary Alan Johnson over the decision to scrap the Operating and Financial
Review.
The group said it is pushing ahead with the legal challenge in the High Court
because it believes ‘the chancellor failed to properly consult before abolishing
the OFR’ and that the decision was ‘irrational’.
Friends of the Earth executive director Tony Juniper said: ‘Gordon Brown’s
unilateral decision to abolish this important reporting requirement is bad for
business, bad for democracy and bad for the environment. It also sends yet
another negative signal about New Labour’s commitment to the environment. We
believe the chancellor’s actions are unlawful and that is why Friends of the
Earth is filing a judicial review in the High Court. Good business and
environmental practice must not be sacrificed for the short-term political
interests of the chancellor or his friends in the CBI.’
A copy of the grounds for judicial review has been sent to the CBI by FoE,
which is being supported in the action by Amnesty International UK, ActionAid,
Traidcraft, Environmental Industries Commission and some investment bodies.