Reckless. Irresponsible. Stubborn. Words that spring to mind when digesting how Watford Borough Council and the UK Health Security Agency acted over our recent food poisoning story. After reports of people falling ill having eaten food from a local restaurant, an investigation found 23 lab-confirmed cases of Salmonella and 17 “probable cases” linked to the eatery.

We were aware of the business involved, but opted not to publish anything before the lab results. Once back, and the outcome clearly in the public interest, the UKHSA and WBC then proved willing to throw every local takeaway under the bus to protect the identity of one. They refused to name it and insisted on referring to “a restaurant/takeaway in Watford”. Despite knowing the vague phrase would tarnish all local eateries, they dug their heels in.

Read more: ‘Watford restaurant linked to 23 Salmonella cases’

The official explanation, from WBC’s associate director of housing and well-being, Justine Hoy, was: “Ensuring public safety is always our absolute priority. We want to reassure people that following an extensive multi-agency investigation there is no ongoing risk associated with the restaurant, who have cooperated with us every step of the way. It is a complex and isolated case and there may be future legal proceedings, which the council does not want to undermine. So, on this occasion, we have decided not to name the business involved at this time.”

There being no ongoing risk does not mean the public should not be told what happened. That’s irrelevant. We also can’t see how naming the restaurant could undermine any future legal proceedings there “may” be. We asked WBC to clarify that point, on or off the record, a week ago. It didn’t respond. Because that’s what you do when you believe you’re right. Amid what felt like the authorities’ misguided obstinacy, we named the business. Parroting the “restaurant/takeaway in Watford” line and letting readers wonder if it was their local would have been negligent.