Competitors in practice but compatriots in trade, a group of current and former newspaper editors have come together, urging British lawmakers to probe a secretive government unit they say are obstructing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

A diverse group of individuals from six different countries were recognised for their "bravery, integrity and commitment to the public interest" in exposing workplace corruption, government wrongdoing and detriments to public safety, often at considerable personal cost.