Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

The complainant requested information relating to a meeting between Oliver Dowden and Lord Brownlow regarding the proposed Great Exhibition 2.0. DCMS refused the request under section 36(2)(b)(ii) and (ii) (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs), and section 40(2) (personal data) of FOIA.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the exemptions at section 36(2)(b)(ii) and (ii) are engaged. However he finds that the public interest in maintaining these exemptions does not outweigh the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner requires DCMS to disclose the requested information to the complainant, with the exception of the names of junior members of staff.