Sunday 27 November 2011

Philip Morris withdraws claim to see Stirling University research

Only the Independent has run with this story so far – written by Steve Connor, whose story that Philip Morris was demanding sensitive research information from Stirling University caused a furore in September.

They haven't announced that they are dropping their demand to see the information; but they have missed a deadline specified by the Scottish Information Commissioner, meaning that the only way to proceed with getting the information is to start all over again.

I'm not sure why they dropped it: it doesn't help that we have only one version of the story. According to Steve Connor the university declined to accept reimbursement from Philip Morris for costs incurred. I can't see how the Scottish Information Commissioner would accept such a refusal from the university, but I don't know all the rules (maybe there are laws against money changing hands in these circumstances, in the interests of equality).

Perhaps, having decided to sue the Australian government, they have bigger fish to fry.

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