Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Make lying and spreading of disinformation in public office a criminal offence

Closed 119 signatures

What the petition asks

To make it a criminal offence when it is demonstrable that a person or persons in public office has/have knowingly lied and/or spread disinformation and/or suppressed factual information.
We believe this new criminal offence is required in order to restore ethical standards and integrity given the widespread corruption evident across many public office sectors. We think that without accountability for such damaging behaviours, prospects for effective government and public trust in national and local government and other public sector actions are bleak. Without accountability, we believe the Nolan standards are empty words and non-adherence to ethical standards becomes normalised behaviour.

Timeline

30 Jan 2024 Petition opened for signatures
29 May 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 119
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 30 Jan 2024
Closed 29 May 2024

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.