According to Polish ombudsman Janusz Kochanowski, refusing him access to a government report on the Central Anti-corruption Bureau (CBA) activities was illegal.
In a letter he sent to the prime minister, Kochanowski writes that functioning of the CBA is subject to his control and so he must have full access.
Earlier Secretary of State Julia Pitera refused him access to the document arguing that it was directed to the PM only and that it was not for public viewing, but a work in progress.
According to Kochanowski, this argumentation is wrong as all documents prepared by a Secretary of State, containing data on functioning of a public organ, which are directed to the head of the government should be public information.
Kochanowski demands in his letter that the Prime Minister solve this situation and Pitera take legal consequences of the refusal.
Julia Pitera submitted her report on CBA’s activities at the end of December. It is thought to expose major irregularities at the bureau. Mariusz Kamiński is accused of serving the then ruling Law and Justice rather than fighting corruption.
But the PM decided that the document didn’t provide sufficient grounds for Kamiński’s dismissal
The contents of the report are only known to its author and the PM. (jm)