Cabinet Office (Decision Notice) FS50492748: ICO 28 Aug 2013

ICO The complainant has requested correspondence and communications involving Sir Jeremy Heywood from a specified period on a particular subject. The Cabinet Office initially confirmed it held information within the scope of the request but argued that it was exempt under section 36 (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs). It upheld this position at internal review and also introduced reliance on section 31 (prejudice to law enforcement). However, during the course of the commissioner’s investigation, it revised its position and argued that it did not, in fact, hold information within the scope of the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office was justified in stating that it does not hold information within the scope of the request. However, the Cabinet Office contravened the requirements of section 1 and section 10 of the Act by failing to respond to the complainant’s request within 20 working days. No steps are required.
Section of Act/EIR and Finding: FOI 1 – Complaint Upheld, FOI 10 – Complaint Upheld

Citations:

[2013] UKICO FS50492748

Links:

Bailii

Jurisdiction:

England and Wales

Information

Updated: 30 November 2022; Ref: scu.528541