THE Information Commissioner has forced Liverpool council to disclose details of its controversial IT joint venture with BT.

Julian Todd, a computer programmer and Freedom of Information campaigner, who demanded the contract, said it had been a tedious process which had taken more than a year.

The council is currently investigating the Liverpool Direct Limited deal, which costs the council £70m-plus each year, after reports that it is not getting value for money.

The district auditor is now examining a final report into the contract before the city council decides whether to cancel the contract or force BT to provide a cheaper service.

Mr Todd said it was clear, had the contract been followed properly, the deal would have worked more effectively.

The council failed to use its right to demand an annual report that proved the prices it was paying were competitive.

Over the decade since the deal started, the local authority only received one report, and it was late.

Mr Todd was involved in the creation of theyworkforyou.com which monitors MPs’ voting records.