An attempt to exempt MPs from the Freedom of Information Act was close to collapse last night after its supporters failed to find a single backer in the House of Lords.

Campaigners hailed the demise of a Private Member’s Bill put forward by David McLean, the former Conservative Chief Whip, which would have meant documentation relating to Parliament remaining secret.

Mr McLean’s Bill caused an outcry when it was passed in the Commons last month, but the Public Bill Office in the Lords confirmed that no peer had come forward to sponsor the legislation through the second chamber by last night’s 5pm deadline.

Although technically it is still possible that the measure could be revived, opponents are hopeful that with parliamentary time before the summer recess running out, the Bill will now be abandoned.

David Winnick, the Labour MP, said he was “absolutely delighted” that the Bill had failed to find a sponsor.

“It is unfortunate that it has been left to the second chamber to hopefully bury this nasty Bill,” he said. “I only hope that no further attempt will be made to revive the measure”.

Under parliamentary rules, a sponsor has to come forward within 12 sitting days of a Bill being introduced in the Lords if it is to proceed. That period expired last night.

The measure could now be taken up again, but a sponsor would have to give eight days’ notice of his or her intention to back the measure. Lord McNally, the Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords, said the Government would have to make “extraordinary arrangements” to keep the Bill alive.

Mr McLean argued that the Bill was necessary to protect the confidentiality of correspondence between MPs and constituents.

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