South Yorkshire Police
- Date 22 November 2022
- Sector Police and criminal justice
- Decision(s) FOI 38: Upheld, FOI 40: Upheld, FOI 42: Upheld
The complainant has requested, from South Yorkshire Police (“SYP”) information about Hillsborough claims. SYP initially withheld this information citing the exemptions at sections 36(2)(b)(i)(ii) & (c) (Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs), 38(1) (Health and safety), 40(2) (Personal information), 41 (Information provided in confidence), 42(1) (Legal professional privilege), 43(2) (Commercial interests) and 44(1)(a) (Prohibitions of disclosure) of FOIA. During the Commissioner’s investigation SYP revised its position. It disclosed some information, said some was not held and refused the remainder citing sections 38(1) (Health and Safety) and 40(2) (Personal information) of FOIA; at a very late stage it subsequently reintroduced reliance on section 42(1) of FOIA. The complainant has agreed to a reduced scope.
The Commissioner has considered the reduced request and finds that none of the exemptions cited are engaged. He requires SYP to disclose the information described in part (3) of the request. Information Tribunal FTT EA/2022/0445 appeal allowed.
Keywords: Hillsborough