Press Association has warned that Government could create an unconstitutional “divine right of ministers” if it extends their power to veto the release of information under the Freedom of Information Act.

In a submission to the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information, PA notes that the review of the act has come about in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in favour of The Guardian to overturn the Attorney General’s veto and order the release of Prince Charles’ letters to various government departments.

The PA submissions comes as more than 20,000 have signed a Press Gazette petition launched as a part of the Society of Editors' Hands Off FoI campaign.