Kings Science Academy

Thursday 6th February 2014 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)]

Members of Parliament have tabled parliamentary questions seeking information relating to the financial management of Kings science academy in Bradford, including requests for details of discussions involving the Department for Education and those involved in the management of the school. The ongoing police investigation means that it would not be appropriate to release details at this time, and this statement seeks to clarify the Government’s responsibilities in this regard.

It is in the public interest to maintain confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and allow the relevant agencies to carry out their investigation. West Yorkshire police have told the Department for Education that, due to the ongoing investigation, the Government must not release information into the public domain which is relevant to the case. West Yorkshire police must be allowed to complete their investigation into matters at Kings science academy—and make their judgments about referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service—without information that might be relevant to their case being put into the public domain. The parameters of the investigation are, quite rightly, for West Yorkshire police to determine.

Therefore until such time as those investigations are concluded, and a determination regarding the case is reached, it would not be appropriate to release the information held by the Department. This would be consistent with the application of the exemption at section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.