Information pertaining to the suspension of the Chief Fire Officer: FOI release

Information requested

I request all correspondence between Scottish Fire and Rescue service and the SFRS Board to the Scottish Government ministers, civil servants and SPAD'S concerning the suspension of the Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden’. ‘I also require copies of all Scottish Government internal communications about the suspension of the CFO between Ministers, civil servants and or SPAD'S.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested as attachments to this letter. Some of the information you requested is available from the Scottish Parliament website and can be obtained at Written question and answer: S6W-08438 | Scottish Parliament Website and Written question and answer: S6W- 08439 | Scottish Parliament Website

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 an exemptions under sections Section 36(2) (actionable breach of confidence), Section 30(b) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in at the end of this letter.

Reasons for not providing information

An exemption applies

Exemptions under Section 36(2) (actionable breach of confidence) and Section 38(1)(b)(personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The information relates to personal circumstances and a confidential matter concerning an individual. The information was provided 'in confidence' and the information contained was received in circumstances which imposed an obligation to maintain confidence. These exemptions are 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 applies, subject to the public interest test

An exemption under Section 30(b) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) applies to some of the information you have requested. The exemption applies to information forming free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of developing a position in relation to a confidential issue. 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 interest in the fire and rescue service and transparent Government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the position being discussed at stages of consideration when private space to discuss a confidential situation is essential.

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 - 202200303390 - redacted information

File type

11 page PDF

File size

1.2 MB