Information Commissioner's Office

Home Office

12 August 2015, Central government

The complainant requested training materials for Home Office officials about immigration law. The Home Office disclosed the majority of the requested information, but withheld the remainder under the exemptions provided by sections 31(1)(e) (prejudice to the operation of the immigration controls), 36(2)(c) (other prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) and 42(1) (legal professional privilege) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the redacted information was withheld incorrectly and must now be disclosed.  The Commissioner requires the Home Office to disclose to the complainant the withheld information. The Home Office 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 pursuant to section 54 of the FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Tribunal.

FOI 31: Upheld FOI 36: Upheld FOI 42: Upheld