Ordnance Survey has defended its use of lobbying firm, Mandate Communications, in its engagement with MPs and other politicians, following a report in The Guardian, which looked at parliamentary questions and correspondence obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The original article can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/21/politicsandtechnology .

The response from OS and one blog's reaction can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/28/8 

A second article on the subject, containing reference to the Locus Association can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/28/freeourdata.politics