Supreme Court rules Prince Charles letters to be released

Good news, we have a right to know what our future head of state is lobbying for and how (and what a fruitcake he is). I'm not holding my breath for these to be released anytime remotley soon however.

There's no way their release can be withheld, unless the government intends to willfully and illegally contravene a court order.

Or unless parliament acts to change the law ex post facto (which would be highly unusual... and I suspect a massive headache for the government this close to the adjournment of parliament and before an election). Today is the last day of parliament, in fact I suspect that's why the Supreme Court justices opted to release their judgment today

I agree with the principle though; there is no sensible reason why the monarchy should be exempt from freedom of information. I'm happy for the weekly discussions to be confidential, but there is no justifiable basis for advocacy letters to be secret

From a legal point of view, I don't think the Government is bound by the decision.

Err, what? Try to be specific.

I'm a law student, and I'm unaware of any legal principle that would indicate the government is not bound by this decision.

Why would the government not be bound by this decision? Do you now what was actually being decided here (i.e. what decision was being appealed, what order was originally stayed, what would the effect of the appeal be in lifting that stay?)

Law isn't really my area but having done a quick google it looks like I might have been wrong. With human rights law the SC's decisions aren't binding and they can only issue declerations of incompatibility which is where the confusion came from.