School of Oriental and African Studies

The complainant requested information about a member of academic staff. The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) advised it does not hold some of the requested information, it disclosed some, directed the complainant to relevant information that is already published and applied section 40(2) of FOIA to the remainder. Section 40(2) concerns information that is personal data. The Commissioner’s decision is that SOAS is entitled to apply section 40(2) of FOIA to the information it is withholding. It is another individual’s personal data and disclosing it would not be lawful. It is not necessary for SOAS to take any steps.