An exemption cited by Castletown Commissioners in response to a Freedom of Information request undermines the fundamental principle of transparency.
So says Information Commissioner Dr Alexandra Delaney-Bhattacharya, who criticised the local authority after it refused to provide some information about its accounts.
The request asked for payment details, which the board said was personal information - but the Information Commissioner's Office says that doesn't apply to organisations or legal entities.
Castletown Commissioners have been told they should re-process the request.
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