Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

The complainant asked Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (the Council) to provide copies of emails received into his work account during a specified period. Although the Council provided copies of those emails not already in the complainant’s possession, the Information Commissioner felt it was appropriate to consider section 40 (personal data) of the FOIA in relation to this request. The Commissioner has concluded that the requested information constitutes the personal data of the requester and the exemption provided by section 40(1) should therefore have been applied. He does not require the Council to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal (EA/2013/0024 ) struck out.