Department for Transport
- Date 14 November 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 14(1): Not upheld, FOI 17: Upheld
The complainant has requested a copy of the ministerial diary of Rt Hon Grant Schapps MP during a 16 month period when Mr Schapps was Secretary of State for Transport. The Department for Transport (‘DfT’) refused to comply with the request, citing section 14(1) (vexatious requests) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the request is vexatious and the DfT was entitled to refuse it under section 14(1). However, in failing to confirm that it held information or issue its refusal notice within 20 working days, the DfT breached section 10 (time for compliance with the request) and section 17 (refusal of request). The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any steps.