Cabinet Office

The complainant has requested information, concerning the expulsion of three Israeli diplomats after August 1987, from the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office refused to confirm or deny whether it held information within the scope of the request citing section 23(5) (security bodies) or section 24(2) (safeguarding national security) and section 27(4) (international relations) as its basis for doing so. The Cabinet Office upheld its position at internal review. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is entitled to rely on section 23(5) and section 24(2) as its basis for refusing to provide confirmation or denial as to whether the requested information is held. No steps are required.