It was reported in today’s Royal Gazette, and online, that the Public Access To Information Act 2010 (PATI) was not a high priority for the administration that was in government under the watch of Dr Ewart Brown as Premier.

However, we accept that the term “not a high priority” was taken out of context and reiterate that Dr Brown’s administration passed the law that went into effect officially today.

“I don’t normally speak out every time I see another attempt to rewrite the history of my administration,” Dr Brown said in a response to The Royal Gazette this evening. “It would not leave me time for much else.

“In this instance, though, I thought I would stand up for the voiceless civil servants across many ministries who worked tirelessly to produce the substantive Act.

“In 2010, my administration introduced the PATI Act in the House of Assembly. The legislation was passed and was added to the record number of Bills passed between 2007 and 2010.

“Thank you for quickly acknowledging the mistake and for offering me the opportunity to set the record straight.”