Publication - FOI/EIR release

Data costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI Review

Published: 12 September 2024
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202300389191 Review of 202300384550
Date received: 12 December 2023
Date responded: 1 February 2024

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

Original request 202300384550

Correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) related to roaming charges racked up by Michael Matheson.

Response

I have reviewed the 6 documents that were identified in scope of your initial request. I have decided that some of that information should now be released with exemptions applied. These documents relate to internal correspondence.

Your original request asked for:

“Please provide me with any correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) related to roaming charges racked up by Michael Matheson.”

Your request for a review asked for:

“I am seeking a review of this decision.

You will be aware that the taxpayer was initially charged £11,000 as a result of Mr Matheson's actions before he admitted his mistakes. This behaviour largely relates to his role as an MSP.

Any information and discussions by the government on the matter and Mr Matheson's behaviour as an elected politician are clearly a matter of public interest.

I do not accept that exemptions under Section 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) apply as the matter relates to Mr Matheson as an MSP rather than his role as Health Secretary.”

Response to your request for a review

I have reviewed all of the information identified as potentially in scope of your initial request. I have decided a further 12 documents can be released with exemptions applied. These documents relate to correspondence from an external source.

The exemptions that now apply to the information being released are:

Section 29(1)(d) – operation of any Ministerial private office
Section 38(1)(b) – personal data relating to third party

The information that can now be released is provided at Annex A.

The reasons why exemptions apply are explained in Annex B.

About FOI

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