The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #1278
Oct 21, 2025
Lewis Brackpool, an investigative commentator and director at Restore Britain, joins the discussion to delve into the controversies surrounding the Oxford Union's president-elect and the implications for institutional integrity. He reveals his FOI investigations into the Home Office's asylum accommodation policies, highlighting the use of transparency tools for public accountability. The conversation also touches on the cultural significance of Tolkien's works, defending them against modern critiques and emphasizing the enduring themes of heroism and moral complexity.
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FOI Hunt Revealed NGO Meetings
- Lewis used FOI requests to map which NGOs met the Home Office on asylum accommodation.
- He published names and then noticed media attention and subsequent charity safety measures.
Use FOI To Expose Policy Influence
- Use the Freedom of Information Act to access government-stakeholder records and hold officials accountable.
- Lewis encourages listeners to file FOI requests to expose policy influences.
FOI Applicant-Blind Principle Under Threat
- The Home Office cited 'requester social media activity' to refuse disclosure, which challenges FOI's applicant-blind principle.
- Lewis sees this as a potential precedent to politicise and restrict FOI access broadly.
