Mr Barnes requested from the Scottish Ministers (the Ministers) information related to funding provided to the Scottish Islamic Foundation (the SIF). The Ministers responded by providing certain information to Mr Barnes, but withholding other information and relying on various exemptions in FOISA for doing so. The Ministers also explained that they did not hold other information requested by Mr Barnes. Following a review, Mr Barnes remained dissatisfied and applied to the Commissioner for a decision.
Following an investigation, the Commissioner found that the Ministers had partially failed to deal with Mr Barnes’ request for information in accordance with Part 1 of FOISA. While they had been entitled to withhold certain information under sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii), 30(c), 36(2) and 38(1)(b) of FOISA, certain other information had been incorrectly withheld under section 30(b)(i) and (ii). The Commissioner required the release of the incorrectly withheld information.
References: [2009] ScotIC 080 – 2009
Links: Bailii
Jurisdiction: Scotland
Last Update: 24 September 2020; Ref: scu.434029 br>