Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

2 October 2017, Central government

The complainant submitted a request to the Cabinet Office relating to any possible award of an honour to the late musician George Michael. The Cabinet Office confirmed that it held information falling within the scope of the request but it considered this to be exempt from disclosure on the basis of the exemptions contained at section 37(1)(b) (the conferring by the Crown of any honour or dignity) and section 41(1) (information provided in confidence) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority was entitled to rely on the exemption at section 37(1)(b).

FOI 37: Not upheld