The cost of postponement
The postponement of Prince Charles's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005 cost the Metropolitan Police over £50,000.
That figure has just been revealed to the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú, over two years after a freedom of information request for it.
The wedding of Charles and Camilla was by one day so that Charles could attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The Met Police has now told the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú that this decision cost them £52,266, including overtime and leave cancellation expenditure.
The Met initially refused to reveal financial information about the postponement. But they conceded after the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú complained to the Information Commissioner's Office. The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú first asked for details of the cost in April 2005, and complained to the ICO in December 2005.
The Met has compromised without a formal decision from the ICO. One can only assume that their discussions with the Information Commissioner's staff as the latter - eventually - investigated the complaint had finally made it clear to the Police that their refusal would not be upheld.
So the wedding was postponed by one day, the release of information about it by 29 months. Both happened eventually.
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Martin,
When the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú make such a request, I would suggest there is a reason for it. But after such a lenghty delay - is that reason for the request for information long gone in most cases?
On this subject.
Janet "Yes I will marry you, Brad"
Brad "But I am already married, Janet!"
Janet "So why ask me to marry you?"
Brad "But, Janet, that was 3 years ago and I waited long enough for your answer, without receiving one, don't you think?"
A delay of two years is rather ridiculous, and goes to show how authoratarian a place the UK now is. However, what is more worrying is my lingering idea that the tax payer footed the bill.
When will the ignorant populace of the UK come to rid ourselves of the stonage concept of a monarchy?
I suppose we should be greatful for the information at all.