Ministry of Defence
- Date 8 November 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 14: Not upheld
The complainant submitted a request to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) seeking fives files concerning information about blinding laser weapons. The MOD refused to comply with the request on the basis of section 14(1) given the burden in processing it. The Commissioner’s decision is that the MOD is entitled to refuse to comply with the request on the basis of section 14(1) of FOIA. However, the MOD breached section 10(1) by failing to provide the complainant with a response to his request within 20 working days.