Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: 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 the exemption in section 30 (investigations and proceedings) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the -�Act-�), and subsequently applied section 12 (cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit). The complainant subsequently made a -�narrowed-� request which is considered in a different Decision Notice (reference FS50322854). However, he wished the Commissioner to consider what he believed to be a lack of advice and assistance provided with his original request. The Commissioner-�s decision is that the public authority did not provide adequate advice and assistance, thereby breaching section 16 of the Act. However, as it subsequently dealt with a narrowed request, on which the Commissioner has made a further decision, he has not ordered any steps to be taken. The public authority-�s handling of the request also resulted in breaches of certain procedural requirements of the Act as identified in this Notice. The complaint is upheld. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2011/0107 withdrawn.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 16 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld