Protection of Freedoms Bill

151J: After Clause 101, insert the following new Clause— ““Changes to the offence of altering etc records with intent to prevent disclosure In section 77 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (offence of altering etc records with intent to prevent disclosure) after subsection (4) insert— ““(5) Notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, a magistrates’ court may try an information relating to an offence under this section if the information is laid— (a) before the end of the period of three years beginning with the date of the commission of the offence, and (b) before the end of the period of six months beginning with the date on which evidence which the prosecutor thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to his or her knowledge. (6) For the purpose of subsection (5)— (a) a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence came to his or her knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact, and (b) a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be treated as so signed unless the contrary is proved.””””