Bank of England

The complainant has requested information relating to instances when time with or access to the Governor of the Bank of England was won or secured through charitable or social events. The public authority disclosed some of the information held. It withheld the names of the individuals who had secured visits to the Bank of England including tea with the Governor following successful bids at three charitable auctions and, the winning bid amounts. The information was withheld on the basis of the exemption at section 40(2) FOIA (personal data). The identity of a School that hosted one of the charitable auctions was additionally withheld on the basis of the exemption at section 38(1)(b) FOIA (health and safety). The Commissioner concluded that the public authority was entitled to rely on the exemptions at sections 38(1)(b) and 40(2).