Cabinet Office
- Date 18 December 2018
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 31(1): Upheld, FOI 37: Upheld
The complainant has requested information on the steps involved with the process of validation to assess the strength and credibility of any nomination for honours or awards. The Cabinet Office disclosed some of the information held within the scope of the request and withheld the remainder relying on the exemptions at sections 37(1)(b) and 31(1)(g) FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is not entitled to rely on the cited exemptions she requires the Cabinet Office to disclose the withheld information to ensure compliance with the legislation. The Cabinet Office must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court