Cabinet Office

The complainant has requested information about the Extremism Task Force. The Cabinet Office argued that some of the information was already publically available (section 21) and that the remainder was exempt from disclosure under provisions of section 35 (formulation/development of government policy. It further argued that some of the information was exempt under section 23 (security bodies). The complainant did not dispute the Cabinet Office’s use of section 21 at internal review but did challenge the other exemptions cited. The Cabinet Office, following its internal review, argued that some of the information was not held as described in the request but that related information was exempt under section 40(2) (unfair disclosure of personal data). It otherwise upheld the use of the other exemptions it had already cited.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is entitled to rely on the provisions of section 35 that it has cited as its basis for refusal.
No steps are required.