Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The original applicant’s father has brought this complaint to the Commissioner with his son’s authority. The notice is served on the applicant/or son but much of the notice refers to the father, as the complainant. The complainant has requested information associated with Southern Water and the Water Industry Act.  The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has refused to comply with the request under regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR (manifestly unreasonable request). The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: Defra is entitled to rely on regulation 12(4)(b) as the request is manifestly unreasonable by virtue of being vexatious. The public interest favours maintaining this exception. The Commissioner does not require Defra to take any remedial steps.