The Chief Ombudsman has launched a formal investigation into allegations that staff at the Ministry of Education tried to avoid scrutiny under the Official Information Act, following the release of a video involving a Christchurch school principal.

Dr Catherine Law, principal of Avonside Girls’ High School, is on leave from the school while seconded to lead work on the secondary school curriculum. In the video, she tells ministry staff not to put in writing that they were responding to feedback from Education Minister Erica Stanford’s office, reminding them the material was “OIA-able”.

Chief Ombudsman John Allen said on Friday he had met Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid and Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche to discuss allegations of attempts to circumvent the Act.

“I have advised Ms MacGregor-Reid that I will be conducting a formal investigation into the allegations,” Allen said.

“I aim to complete my investigation as soon as possible but speed will not be at the expense of thoroughness.”

The investigation is into allegations about practices at the ministry. Allen has not released its scope or made findings about Law or anyone else.

MacGregor-Reid has said Law’s comments did not meet the ministry’s expectations for transparency, record keeping or compliance with the Official Information Act. The ministry has also begun its own review to determine whether the incident was isolated.

Stanford has said the processes followed complied with the Act and denied there had been attempts to circumvent it.