Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

11 August 2014, Central government

The complainant requested information from the Cabinet Office about why Jimmy Saville was ‘turned down’ for honours and a knighthood between 1970 and 1990. The Cabinet Office disclosed some information to the complainant regarding these discussions. However, it sought to withhold eight further documents on the basis of sections 37(1)(b) (honours exemption) and 40(2) (personal data exemption) of FOIA. The Commissioner has concluded that although section 37 is engaged, the public interest favours disclosing the information. He has also concluded that the information is not exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 40(2). The Commissioner requires the public authority to provide the complainant with the information contained in the eight withheld documents which relates to Jimmy Saville. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court.

FOI 37: Upheld FOI 40: Upheld