Department for Transport
- Date 10 February 2023
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 14(2): Upheld, FOI 35(1)(a): Not upheld
The complainant has requested information relating to the decision to place South Africa on the red list during the pandemic. The DfT applied section 14(2) (repeat requests), section 35(1)(a) (formulation of government policy), section 35(1)(b) (ministerial communications) and section 27(1) (international relations). The Commissioner’s decision is that:
Section 14(2) does not apply and therefore the DfT is not entitled to rely upon it to refuse the request.
Section 35(1)(a) is engaged and the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption.
The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any steps.