Former First Minister’s engagements in London in March 2023: FOI Review

Information requested

Original request 202400412363

Information relating to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements in London in March 2023.

Response

I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements in London in March 2023. Additionally, in your review request you asked for other information relating to the trip to London in March 2023 by the previous First Minister.

I am only able to review the information provided in your own FOI request (Ref B), and not the previous one you refer to as Ref A. Having undertaken a review of the information, I have concluded that the original decision should be confirmed, with clarifications.

Response to your request

Under your heading omissions - you do not seem to have accessed the information provided at the link which should usually be available by clicking on the excel icon you have screenshotted. I have therefore included a copy of the document in annex.

Under your heading specious comment – you will see the spreadsheet referenced above identifies the ‘Loose Women’ appearance as an official engagement, I can confirm no fee was paid. In relation to the ‘alteration’ of the Ministerial engagements document on the Gov.Scot website, this was updated in May 2024 to remove duplicated travel data.

In your request for review you additionally asked for all other information (emails, WhatsApp etc) relating to the trip to London in March 2023 by the previous First Minister. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because the First Minister’s private office only hold correspondence for 3 months. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

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 202400417846 - Information released - ANNEX

File type

Excel document

File size

91.2 kB