Watchdog launches probe into health department's emails

Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham has launched an investigation into the use of private email accounts at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Denham expressed concern in a blog post on the ICO website that the practice could lead to a ‘loss of transparency’ and that her inquiry would establish whether private correspondence channels have been used, and if their use led to ‘breaches of freedom of information or data protection law’.

The watchdog will probe the use of all private correspondence channels used by ministers – which could include tools like WhatsApp – after concerns were raised about former Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s email, as well as private emails from health minister Lord Bethell.

Hancock is reported to have routinely used a private account, details of which came to light after he resigned for breaching social distancing guidelines for an affair with his close aide.

Bethell, who oversaw the award of Covid contracts, has also faced calls for his resignation after the Guardian revealed that a number of emails were copied into his private email account. His address was copied into at least four official exchanges relating to a businessman who was attempting to get government contracts during the pandemic.

Denham wrote in her blog that: “It concerns the public to feel there may be a loss of transparency about decisions affecting them and their loved ones. The use of private correspondence channels does not in itself break freedom of information or data protection rules.”

However, she said she was worried that they might be ‘overlooked, autodeleted or otherwise not available when a freedom of information request is later made’.