Link for IOC full Decision notice pdf file: Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office) (Central government) [2025] UKICO 342257 (1 May 2025)
1. The complainant has requested information from the Home Office in relation to proof of concept analyses produced by the National Police Data Laboratory. The Home Office relied on sections 31(1)(a), 31(1)(e) and 40 to withhold some of the requested information. It disclosed the remainder. 2. The Commissioner's decision is that the Home Office has correctly applied section 31(1)(e) to all of the information withheld under that section. In relation to section 31(1)(a), the Commissioner considers that this has been correctly applied in respect of the additional information held by the Home Office in scope of the complainant's request. 3. In relation to the information contained in the Proof of Concept analysis slides, which was redacted under section 31(1)(a), the Commissioner does not consider that section 31(1)(a) is engaged in relation to this. 4. The Commissioner requires the Home Office to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. -¢ Disclose the information to the complainant from the Proof of Concept analysis slides which was previously redacted under section 31(1)(a). 5. The Home Office must take these steps within 30 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 Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.