Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant contacted the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and requested information concerning the nationality of all those investigated by the MPS for alleged war crimes. Originally the MPS responded and refused to disclose the information under section 27 (international relations) and section 30 (information held for criminal investigations). After conducting an internal review, as requested by the complainant, the MPS set aside the original decision and instead refused to comply with the request on the grounds that section 12(2) was engaged. The MPS stated that determining whether the requested information was held would exceed the appropriate costs limit. The Commissioner investigated and has found that the MPS was correct to apply section 12(2) to the request. He has also found that the MPS has discharged its duties under section 16(1) of the Act and provided advice and assistance to the complainant. However, the MPS responded to the request outside the statutory time limit and therefore breached section 17(5). The Commissioner requires no remedial steps to be taken by the MPS.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 12 - Complaint Not upheld, FOI 16 - Complaint Not upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld