Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: In a narrowed request, the complainant asked the Metropolitan Police Service (the -�public authority-�) to provide information relating to a criminal inquiry. The public authority originally refused to disclose this relying on section 12 (cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit). It subsequently applied the exemptions at sections 30(1) (investigations and proceedings), 40(2) and (5) (personal information) and 42(1) (legal professional privilege). It also stated that, in respect of one part of the request, it held no information. During the Commissioner-�s investigation the public authority again stated that it wished to rely on section 12. The Commissioner-�s decision is that compliance with the request would exceed the appropriate limit. He has not therefore considered the applicability of the other exemptions The complaint is not upheld. The public authority-�s handling of the request also resulted in breaches of certain procedural requirements of the Act as identified in this Notice. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2011/0106 withdrawn.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 12 - Complaint Not upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld