Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant requested dates of telephone discussions between the Prime Minster, Rupert Murdoch and Richard Desmond. Although it was confirmed that the information was held it was refused on the basis that disclosure would be prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs. The Commissioner found that in this particular case the public interest required the disclosure of the requested information, provided that the Cabinet Office's records indicated that the discussions which had taken place were of an official nature. The Commissioner also concluded that when refusing the request for information the Cabinet Office should have provided a clearer explanation of both why it considered the information exempt and of its consideration of the public interest test. This decision is currently under appeal to the Information Tribunal.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 13 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 36 - Complaint Upheld