Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The complainant requested emails and letters between named individuals and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (‘Defra’) relating to the appointment of Mark Tufnell to Natural England’s Board in May 2024. Defra provided some information with the personal information redacted under section 40(2) of FOIA and said some information was not held (both these aspects were not challenged by the complainant). Defra withheld the remaining information under section 36(2)(b)(i) – the exemption for prejudice to the free and frank provision of advice and section 36(2)(c) – the exemption for prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. The Commissioner’s decision is that he finds section 36(2)(c) of FOIA not to be engaged for the reasons set out in this notice. He finds that Defra was entitled to rely on section 36(2)(b)(i) of FOIA for the remaining withheld information. No steps are required as a result of this notice.

Keywords: Recruitment