Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

2 January 2018, Central government

The complainant submitted a request to the Cabinet Office for information about honours offered to the actors Paul Scofield and Peter O’Toole but which they had refused. In relation to Paul Scofield the Cabinet Office confirmed that it held information but sought to withhold this on the basis of section 37(1)(b) (the conferring by the Crown of any honour or dignity) and section 41(1) (information provided in confidence) of FOIA. In relation to Peter O’Toole the Cabinet Office refused to confirm or deny whether it held any information relying on section 37(2) by virtue of section 37(1)(b). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office was entitled to rely on the exemption at section 37(1)(b) to withhold the information it acknowledges holding about Paul Scofield. The Commissioner has also concluded that the Cabinet Office can rely on section 37(2) to refuse to confirm or deny whether it holds any information about Peter O’Toole.

FOI 37: Not upheld