City, University of London

The complainant has requested from City St George’s, University of London (the University) all internal email exchanges between named individuals discussing the complainant, delegates, team members and the City Doctoral Researchers’ Association. They also requested a specific email. The University refused to provide the requested information, citing section 40(2) of FOIA – personal information. At internal review it provided some information but additionally refused to provide information that it considered to be the complainant’s own personal data (section 40(1) of FOIA). The University also cited section 21 – information accessible to the applicant by other means.The Commissioner’s decision is that the University incorrectly cited section 21 and that the exemption is not engaged. However, the Commissioner has concluded that sections 40(1) and (2) of FOIA (personal information) apply to the requested information and have been appropriately cited. Additionally, the Commissioner has found that the University breached sections 1(1) and 10(1) by confirming that it held information late and providing information at internal review stage. It also breached section 17(1)(b) by later relying on exemptions that it had not cited in its original response. The Commissioner does not require further steps.