Home Office

The complainant has requested information sent or received by the Home Secretary and her private office staff between certain dates in relation to the policing of the Clapham vigil by the Metropolitan Police and the passage of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The Home Office refused the request as it considered that compliance with it would exceed the cost limit under section 12 FOIA.The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office has correctly cited section 12(1) FOIA, in response to the request. It has also complied with its duty to provide advice and assistance in line with the requirements of section 16 FOIA. He finds that the Home Office breached section 10(1) FOIA by failing to respond to the request within the statutory time for compliance. The Commissioner does not require the Home Office to take any steps.