A FORMER MP has called on Ceredigion council to issue a full apology after sensitive personal information was published on its website.

Mark Williams, who is the chair of a Ceredigion care forum, said he was shocked after the Cambrian News revealed that more than 50 reports assessed as containing exempt information were publicly available on Ceredigion council’s website.

The council has confirmed it is currently investigating the incident and has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office, but has not said whether it will be contacting the people whose details were made public.

The information was included in Cabinet reports between 2004 and 2007. The council was unable to say how long the information was publicly available, amidst claims it may have been on the council’s website for over 10 years.

Mr Williams, the chair of the North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care, criticised the council’s handling of exempt information, especially information that included medical details of named individuals.

He said the release of the confidential information should never have happened.

He said: “This situation and the possibility that these files could have been available to the public since at least 2007, represents a serious breach in the trust placed in the county council by the people of Ceredigion.

“I see no reason why these files should not have been anonymised prior to being presented to the Cabinet, a simple measure which would have eliminated the risk of improper disclosure.

“The county council states that the files in question have been removed, but how can they say that with confidence when experts tell us that once on the internet, information is practically irretrievable.

“Finally and importantly, I would like to know if the county council intends to inform those members of the public who are affected and to offer them an apology.”

The council said councillors would be addressed about the problem when an investigation has been completed.

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