Submitted on Wednesday 12th January 2022
Rejected on Wednesday 19th January 2022
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: irrelevant (see below for details)
Ban the use of WhatsApp and other unaudited messaging apps from MPs phones
All communication that an elected MP has in relation to their work must be via a fully trackable and auditable method. WhatsApp messages are far too easily deleted and 'forgotten'. This is unacceptable in a modern democracy and we must be able to hold our elected MPs to account.
The pandemic has highlighted the widespread use of WhatsApp by MPs for official government communications. We've seen Matt Hancock using it for PPE contracts and most recently, Boris Johnson using it to discuss the No. 10 flat renovations. This HAS to stop.
Any communication by an MP in relation to their work must be via a method that has a permanent and easily searchable record, by relevant parties in relation to misconduct or investigations.
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
Petitions must call for a specific action that the UK Government or Parliament are directly responsible for.
Decisions about how to communicate are a matter for individual MPs, not the Government or Parliament. As a result it is not possible for the Government or Parliament to take the action you have requested.
We could accept a petition calling for new requirements for communications made within government, as that's something the Government is responsible for.
18.220.16.184 Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:29:30 +0100
