Home Office

The complainant requested information from the Home Office relating to two cases listed in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s Annual Report 2014 which had been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Home Office argued that the request was vexatious because complying with it would place a grossly oppressive burden on it. It therefore refused the request on the basis of section 14(1) of the FOIA (vexatious request). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office was entitled to refuse to comply with the request on the basis of section 14(1). She requires no steps to be taken as a result of this decision. Information Tribunal appeal GIA/171/2019 allowed.