Calls for a public inquiry into child abuse in Scottish football: FOI release

Information requested

1. All correspondence, including internal correspondence, sent and received by the Scottish Government regarding calls for a public inquiry into child abuse in Scottish football between March 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

2. All briefings and notes prepared for ministers regarding calls for a public inquiry into child abuse in Scottish football between March 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance an exemption under section(s) s.36(1) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested. This exemption applies to legal advice provided by the Scottish Government Legal Directorate in relation to launching a public inquiry, and has been clearly identified in the document "Child Abuse FOI Release Doc 2" on page 24.

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 release because of the clear interest in understanding the Scottish Government's position on this particular issue. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s response to specific issues and to take legal advice on potential decisions. This private discussion space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

An exemption under section S.38(1)(b) Personal Information of FOISA also applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption prevents us releasing the personal information of officials who are below the rank of Senior Civil Servant. It also applies to the personal data of members of the public who have written to the Scottish Government.

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 202300379483 - Information Released - Annex

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