UK MPs hide embarrassing information

According to an analysis carried out by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism for The Independent, MPs and staff working in the House of Commons have been participating in making nearly 10,000 changes to pages of Wikipedia.

The investigation found that at least 10 attempts were made from computers in the Parliament in order to remove information about former Enfield North MP Joan Ryan, who stepped down as a Labour MP in 2010.

Ryan admitted to having altered information, but said, “I’ve altered it whenever there’s misleading or untruthful information been placed on it.”

The former British minister Clare Short, whose expenses details were also changed, claimed she had not changed the entry herself, but her staff were “angry and protective” about inaccurate information posted on her Wikipedia page, adding, “It certainly wasn’t me. I never look at it. I find it too irritating.”

Moreover, the Labour MP Fabian Hamilton whose page was edited said the change was made by a young researcher to whom he pointed out inaccurate information.

“He helped me redraft it so it was accurate – but within 24 hours it had been changed back again. To my knowledge, it hasn’t changed again. I’m afraid I don’t look at it anymore,” he added.

Stressing that the site was keen to see users participating on the site, Jon Davies, the Chief Executive of Wikimedia UK, which supports Wikipedia, said, “We would welcome any MPs who want to become editors.”

SSM/MF

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