Using a false instrument under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act: That between 26 March 1986 and 7 July 1987, he used the A4 diary with the intention of inducing the newspaper and its editor to accept it as genuine.

BBC: Lord Archer pleads not guilty

Mr Anwar's arrest in 1998 was under the Internal Security Act, a harsh, but far blunter, instrument.

ECONOMIST: Malaysia

However FOI campaigner Ms Brooke told the BBC that by introducing changes to the publication of expenses as a statutory instrument, the government was effectively changing the Freedom of Information act, she said.

BBC: MPs' expenses plan 'outrageous'