Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
- Date 13 December 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 14(1): Not upheld
The complainant requested information from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), about emails exchanged within the department during specified periods of UK lockdown. The request contained specific references to search terms to be used, including named email accounts and specific word terms, that the complainant considered might indicate a social gathering. DEFRA refused the request under section 14(1) of FOIA (vexatious requests).
The Commissioner’s decision is that the request was vexatious and therefore DEFRA was entitled to rely upon section 14(1) of FOIA to refuse it.
The Commissioner does not require any steps.