David. Eff the WEF. ❤️CO₂. #GLO.

NOW — The Bank of England has upheld its refusal to release documents on the links between Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and digital ID systems. An internal review, signed off by the Bank’s Deputy Secretary, Michael Salib, concluded that disclosure would have a “chilling effect” on deliberations and risk “destabilising speculation.” Key points from the Bank’s decision: - Documents include internal strategy papers and risk assessments on CBDC–digital ID integration. - The Bank claims releasing even redacted versions would inhibit free and frank discussion and “prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.” - Section 36 FOIA exemptions (deliberation and effective conduct of public affairs) were applied, alongside Section 41 (confidential third-party input). - The Bank insists the public interest is already served by selected research it has chosen to publish, such as its report with MIT on “Enhancing the Privacy of a Digital Pound.” This means that, for the second time in two years, the Bank has refused to release documents that could reveal how digital currency and identity systems may be linked in UK policy planning.