Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant sought access to all the information held within an internal blog site of the public authority which had been initiated by the Home Office to allow staff to air their views about internal issues within the Home Office. The public authority initially withheld all of the information under the exemptions at 36(2)(b)(ii) and (c) (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) and 40(2) (personal information), although it made a partial disclosure at internal review stage. The Commissioner is satisfied that the exemption at section 36(2)(b)(ii) is engaged and that the public interest in withholding the information is not outweighed by the public interest in disclosure. As he has concluded that the information is exempt under section 36(2)(b)(ii) he has not considered the other exemptions. The complaint is not upheld.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 36 - Complaint Not upheld