Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The complainant submitted several requests to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In respect of the first of these requests, the FCO confirmed that it held information but argued the information that it held was exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 23(1) of the Act. In respect of the remaining requests, the FCO refused to confirm or deny whether it held any information on the basis of sections 23(5) and 24(2) of the Act. Having investigated the circumstances of these requests, the Commissioner is satisfied that the FCO complied with the requirements of the Act in refusing these requests in the manner in which it did. The Commissioner does not require the FCO to take any steps in order to ensure compliance with the Act. Information Tribunal appeal number EA/2011/0051 part allowed.