Cabinet Office
- Date 5 February 2020
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 35: Upheld, FOI 35(1)(a): Upheld
The complainant has requested information on communications in 2003 between Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown referring to a referendum on whether the UK should join the Euro. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office has appropriately applied the exemptions at section 35(1)(a) and (b) – Formulation of government policy and Ministerial communications, however, the public interest favours disclosure of the information. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the requested information to ensure compliance with the legislation. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2020/0104 allowed.