British Museum

The complainant has requested from the British Museum (the Museum) information relating to discussions between BP and staff at the Museum on specified dates. The Museum provided some information but withheld other information under sections 40(2) and 43(2) of the FOIA. The Museum later provided some limited further information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Museum has correctly applied section 43(2) to the withheld information and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. He also finds that the Museum correctly applied section 40(2) to some of the information withheld on that basis. However, some of the personal data has been inappropriately withheld. The Museum also breached sections 1 and 10 of FOIA by releasing information beyond the time for compliance. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.
Disclose the names and job roles of the senior BP employees contained in the withheld information but not their contact details or any other personal data. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2023/0086 appeal allowed in part.