Campaigners have called for government departments to be threatened with legal action if they persistently fail to handle Freedom of Information requests properly.

The Campaign for Freedom of Information has criticised Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, left, for failing to act over departments treating the FoI process with “contempt”.

The organisation’s call comes after analysis by the BBC found he Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Cabinet Office have been frequently criticised by the ICO for their “inadequate handling” of requests.

Maurice Frankel, from the CFoI, told the BBC the ICO should take “stronger action” as a result of the findings.

He said: “Departments have discovered that they can repeatedly ignore the regulator – and nothing happens. The solution is in the commissioner’s hands. She should promptly serve chronic offenders with enforcement notices and threaten court action if they fail to comply.

“She should also report the problem to Parliament and encourage a select committee to ask ministers in front of the TV cameras why they are treating the public’s right to know with contempt.”

An ICO spokesperson said: “The ICO can take monitoring action if a public authority’s performance needs to improve. Whether or not disclosure applies to a request is not always straightforward.

“That is why we work with departments to improve processes so decisions on what information can be released under FOI can be made more effectively and efficiently.”

The government departments involved were approached for comment.