Meetings of Former First Minister and Former Deputy First Minister with Ross Greer MSP: FOI release

Information requested

All details, briefing notes/papers and minutes of meetings between Deputy First Minister Shona Robison and Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer and First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer between August 2023 and the present day.

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 of FOISA applies to that information:

29(1)(a) - Formulation/development of government policy, 29(1)(d) - Operation of Ministerial private office, 30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice and 38(1)(b) - Third party personal data.

These exemptions are 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 there is a right to hold accountable decision makers and to scrutinise the processes which contribute to those decisions. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in providing Ministers and third parties a private space in which they can hold honest discussions and formulate policy. Releasing the information could prejudice future policy discussions.

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 202400401955 - Information released - Attachment

File type

75 page PDF

File size

740.0 kB