Ministerial car journeys taken by Nicola Sturgeon on specified dates: FOI release

Information requested

 

You asked for information about any ministerial car journeys taken by Nicola Sturgeon on the following dates, including any passengers who went with her, and where the car went to/from: 2 April 2018, 23 April 2018, 7 June 2018, 14 July 2018, 18 July 2018.

Response

 

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 39(1) and 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

 

ANNEX
REASON FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

Exemptions apply

An exemption under section 38(1)(b of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested, because it is the personal data of a third party.

This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

 

An exemption under section 39(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in the First Minister’s travel. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the safety of the First Minister. Therefore, in accordance with advice from Police Scotland, the First Minister’s car travel arrangements are not published.

 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

foi-19-00240 Information requested

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