13th September 2025
Lincolnshire man Alan M. Dransfield has called on the Charity Commission to investigate whether transparency charity mySociety has acted unfairly by maintaining a lifetime ban against him on its flagship site, WhatDoTheyKnow.com.
Dransfield, who has been barred from using the Freedom of Information platform since 2011, says the ban has prevented him for more than 14 years from submitting FOI requests on matters of public importance – including the Consulting Association blacklisting scandal, alleged misuse of the “Dransfield vexatious” precedent, and wider issues of public safety and accountability.
“MySociety’s mission is to promote transparency and civic participation,” Dransfield said. “A lifetime ban on one individual is disproportionate and undermines confidence in the platform.”
Dransfield has formally asked the Charity Commission to review whether mySociety’s actions are consistent with its charitable obligations. He argues that the ban frustrates the public interest and risks excluding important scrutiny of public bodies.
“I am ready to provide supporting evidence,” he added. “This is about fairness, proportionality, and ensuring that public interest concerns can be raised through the proper channels.”
The Charity Commission confirmed that it can look into concerns where there is evidence of a charity acting outside its charitable purposes or failing to manage risks appropriately. mySociety has not yet responded publicly to Dransfield’s latest appeal.
