The complainant has requested copies of reports, briefings and communications used in the process of agreeing a sponsorship arrangement with BP. The British Museum (‘the museum’) provided some information but relied on section 36 of FOIA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) to withhold some of the requested information. It stated that it did not hold any information relating to communications with BP in which it provided information about, or clarifications on, aspects of its business activity. The Commissioner’s decision is that the museum was entitled to rely on sections 36(2)(b)(i), 36(2)(b)(ii) and 36(2)(c) of FOIA to withhold some of the requested information. However, he finds that the exemptions do not apply to already publicly available information. He is satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, the museum does not hold information within scope of part C of the request. He also finds that the museum breached sections 1(1),10(1) and 17(1) of FOIA by failing to provide its response within 20 working days. The Commissioner requires the museum to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the information already publicly available, namely the general overview of BP, the “in the news” section, the “further reading” section on pages 9-12 and 14-15 in Appendix 1: Due Diligence report, and BP’s Net Zero Update 2023 where it is reproduced or referenced in the withheld material.