Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office)

The complainant requested information from the Home Office about the organisation Palestinian Action. The Home Office withheld the information under section 35(1)(a) of FOIA – the formulation or development of government policy. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 35(1)(a) is engaged and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner notes that the Home Office was in breach of the requirements of section 10 of FOIA because it did not respond to the request within 20 working days.  He does not require any steps as a result of this notice.