It's hard to address that question without looking specifically at the provision you're talking about, whether in the Access to Information Act or some other provision, but at the risk of oversimplifying matters, let's say two things. One, we're all responsible for acting in accordance with the law, particularly laws of that kind; and secondly, while I made reference to lawful excuse, I did indicate that I think there are limits to how that could be used. It's lawful excuse. You can't just say, “The devil made me do it.” You can't just say, “I did it because I was told to do that.” The person who gave the instructions may also be liable to prosecution under the same offence, depending on what the evidence supports. But I don't think anybody can say, “I did it because my boss told me to”, where you're talking about an offence of a kind that's subject to imprisonment as a criminal offence.
On June 15th, 2010. See this statement in context.