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Attorney general's block on Prince Charles's letters ruled unlawful Attorney general's block on Prince Charles's letters ruled unlawful
(35 minutes later)
The attorney general's refusal to let the public see letters the Prince of Wales wrote to UK ministers has been ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal.The attorney general's refusal to let the public see letters the Prince of Wales wrote to UK ministers has been ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal.
Guardian journalist Rob Evans had challenged Dominic Grieve's decision to veto a High Court tribunal ruling in favour of allowing their publication.Guardian journalist Rob Evans had challenged Dominic Grieve's decision to veto a High Court tribunal ruling in favour of allowing their publication.
Mr Grieve argued that releasing the letters would undermine the principle of the heir being politically neutral.Mr Grieve argued that releasing the letters would undermine the principle of the heir being politically neutral.
He was granted permission to appeal the latest ruling to the Supreme Court.He was granted permission to appeal the latest ruling to the Supreme Court.
'Important principles''Important principles'
In September 2012 the Upper Tribunal, headed by a High Court judge, ruled that Mr Evans and the public were entitled to see the letters under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.In September 2012 the Upper Tribunal, headed by a High Court judge, ruled that Mr Evans and the public were entitled to see the letters under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
The seven government departments concerned did not appeal the decision but a month later the attorney general intervened and imposed a veto under section 53 of the FOIA.The seven government departments concerned did not appeal the decision but a month later the attorney general intervened and imposed a veto under section 53 of the FOIA.
Mr Grieve had said the departments were legally entitled to refuse disclosure because the correspondence was part of the prince's "preparation for becoming king".Mr Grieve had said the departments were legally entitled to refuse disclosure because the correspondence was part of the prince's "preparation for becoming king".
But on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the certificate should be quashed because Mr Grieve had "no good reason" for overriding the decision of the tribunal and he had acted in a way which was incompatible with European law.But on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the certificate should be quashed because Mr Grieve had "no good reason" for overriding the decision of the tribunal and he had acted in a way which was incompatible with European law.
Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls, said the fact that Mr Grieve reached a different conclusion to the Upper Tribunal (UT) was not enough.Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls, said the fact that Mr Grieve reached a different conclusion to the Upper Tribunal (UT) was not enough.
"He had no good reason for overriding the meticulous decision of the UT reached after six days of hearing and argument."He had no good reason for overriding the meticulous decision of the UT reached after six days of hearing and argument.
"He could point to no error of law or fact in the UT's decision and the government departments concerned did not even seek permission to appeal it.""He could point to no error of law or fact in the UT's decision and the government departments concerned did not even seek permission to appeal it."
'Right to know''Right to know'
Responding to the verdict, a spokesman for Mr Grieve said: "We are very disappointed by the decision of the court.Responding to the verdict, a spokesman for Mr Grieve said: "We are very disappointed by the decision of the court.
"We will be pursuing an appeal to the Supreme Court in order to protect the important principles which are at stake in this case.""We will be pursuing an appeal to the Supreme Court in order to protect the important principles which are at stake in this case."
The "advocacy correspondence" was described as letters the prince had written seeking to advance the work of charities or to promote views. The "advocacy correspondence" was described as letters the prince had written in 2004 and 2005 seeking to advance the work of charities or to promote views.
In a statement, Guardian News and Media said the public had a right to know if the prince was "advocating policy or promoting causes to government ministers."In a statement, Guardian News and Media said the public had a right to know if the prince was "advocating policy or promoting causes to government ministers."
It added: "We hope the attorney general will recognise he has reached the end of the legal road and that government departments will now publish the correspondence so that the public can judge for themselves."It added: "We hope the attorney general will recognise he has reached the end of the legal road and that government departments will now publish the correspondence so that the public can judge for themselves."
Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, welcomed the decision.
"Dominic Grieve's argument is that it is better to pretend Charles is impartial than to prove he is not," spokesman Graham Smith said.
In 2010, the Freedom of Information Act was tightened up and now royal letters cannot be made public for 20 years or five years after the writer's death, whichever is longer.
Mr Smith said that law change gave the Royal Family "complete freedom to lobby the government in secret and on whatever issue they choose", adding: "This has nothing to do with their royal duties and everything to do with the Windsor family protecting their own interests and pursuing their own agendas."