How naive to think that the cabinet minutes would reveal anything. Richard Thomas, above all, should know that the cabinet minutes will be devoid of anything that exposes the government to potential charges. Over the years, Richard Thomas has been extremely careful to ensure that nothing is released that would embarrass No 10. Whilst pronouncing freedom of information and protection of individuals' data rights, nothing has been done to force the government into obeying its own laws. As such, his job has always been untenable, and an honourable person would have stepped down.

martin brighton, sheffield,

The constitutional importance of such a step is glossed over by this article.

Releasing the documents would indeed breach the convention of cabinet responsibility, which may or may not be justified, but such a decision should not be taken lightly, or indeed by the Information Commissioner.

It would undermine future cabinet meetings and could have what is known as a 'chilling effect' on future meetings. Members would not be able to have full and frank discussions for fear of the repercussions in the media. Ultimately it could lead to the same neutral, bland opinions expressed to the public being carried through to actual governance. Thus an intention to make the government more accountable could have other serious unintended consequences.

Mike, London,

Surely we all know now that Blair was instrumental in corrupting our form of democratic government. After all if you consult too widely then, increasingly, you are likely to be confronted by opposition. You could argue as was done on World at One today that a suppine cabinet was really at the root of the corruption. BUT then of course each of the cabinet depended on Blair for their jobs. We should not think politicians are any less susceptible to the pressures of patronage than any other paid employee. In my experience most people look after No. 1 and the altruism we might suspect an MP should demonstrate is neither more nor less than any other grafting employee. A plague on all their houses you might say!!

Douzens, Orpington, Kent

Taking into account the non availability of certain documents concerned with the Cash For Honours fiasco, It would seem to me most unlikely that anything but an abridged and sanitized account of the Cabinet Minutes will be available. Lots of time will no doubt be involved with picking over the bones of those but to no avail. The damage has been done and will last a quarter of a century and maybe longer if the situation is inflamed further. I have never been able to understand why no one in authority has been brave enough to consider the criminal aspects of these issues.

Robert, Kirk Ella,, Easy Yorks.,

Is Mr Thomas neutral on this issue?
His decision on this matter seems to me to be totally in favour of the protesters and political opponents of the goverment.
He appears not to have considered the possiblity that clarity and openess in this case could undermine the work of those forces still in Iraq and may well endanger them.
I suggest that the release of this data would be better left until the troops have left Iraq.

John Parker, Stockport,

The laws we all have to obey are not secret - how else would we know how to obey the law and in what circumstances we may offer a statutory defence.

When a judge rules on a point of law the reasons for that judgement are explained and published. This is the mark of an open society which respects the law.

“The requirements of openness and transparency must be balanced against the proper and effective functioning of Government," a spokesman said.

Absolutely right – but not balanced against the need to conceal incompetence, criminal disregard for the law or the aggressive desires of the Bush/Blair presidency.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

We, the electorate, must have the ultimate decision in the scrutiny of our democracically elected representatives. Should there be sufficient doubt - which there is, that Great Britain has invaded another sovereign state based on erroneous and formal information put forth to ourselves, then it is our absolute right to seek full clairification. There must be no whitewash in Westminster.

Robbie Rohan, Great Chart, Kent, UK

""The requirements of openness and transparency must be balanced against the proper and effective functioning of Government," a spokesman said."

Before accepting that argument I think I'd like to see an example of proper and effective functioning of Government.

Kay Tie, York,