Cabinet Office
- Date 15 January 2024
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 17: Upheld, FOI 31(1): Not upheld
The complainant has requested photographs that were submitted to the Second Permanent Secretary’s Investigation into alleged social gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions. The Cabinet Office refused to provide the information citing sections 31(1) (law enforcement)), 21(1) (information otherwise accessible to the applicant), 40(2)(personal information) and 41(1)(information provided in confidence) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 31(1) of FOIA is engaged regarding the requested information and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner has also recorded a breach of section 17(1) of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require the Cabinet Office to take any steps.