Metropolitan Police Service

The complainant has requested correspondence between an Assistant Commissioner (“AC”) and two Muslim associations from the Metropolitan Police Service (the “MPS”). The MPS disclosed some information but said that a personal email was exempt from disclosure by virtue of sections 31(1)(a) (Law enforcement) and 40(2) (Personal information) of FOIA. During the Commissioner’s investigation, the MPS withdrew reliance on section 31(1)(a) and added reliance on section 38(1) (Health and safety) of FOIA. It also advised that it considered a further letter was now suitable for disclosure.
In respect of the personal email, the Commissioner’s decision is that section 40(2) of FOIA is properly engaged. Regarding the letter it identified as suitable for disclosure, if it has not already done so, the Commissioner requires it to disclose the letter which was emailed from AC Jukes to the Chair of the National Association Muslim Police on 4 October 2022.