Complete copy of a Report by Angela Main-Thompson dated 18.02.17

Summary

The requester sought a complete copy of a 2017 report by Angela Main-Thompson regarding a conflict of interest review involving Ministers Shimmin and Skelly. The Cabinet Office refused to confirm or deny holding the information, citing an absolute exemption for personal data, a decision later upheld by the Information Commissioner.

Key Facts

• The request was made on 4 June 2020 for a report dated 18 February 2017.
• The report concerns Ministers Shimmin and Skelly and planning application 15/00142/B.
• The Cabinet Office refused to confirm or deny the existence of the information.
• The refusal was based on section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The Information Commissioner upheld the complaint against the authority's response.

Data Disclosed

• 1318609
• 18.02.17
• 2020-06-04
• 2020-10-20
• 15/00142/B
• 23 June 2020
• section 19
• section 25(2)
• Part 2

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Absolutely exempt personal information)
• Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Refusal to confirm or deny)

Original Request

I wish to be provided with a complete copy of a 'Report of review of the actions of Ministers Shimmin and Skelly and whether they knowingly failed to declare a conflict in relation to planning application 15/00142/B' by Angela Main-Thompson Dated 18th February 2017

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1318609 23 June 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 4 June 2020 and which states:

"I wish to be provided with a complete copy of a 'Report of review of the actions of Ministers Shimmin and Skelly and whether they knowingly failed to declare a conflict in relation to planning application 15/00142/B' by Angela Main-Thompson Dated 18th February 2017" We do endeavour to provide information whenever possible. However, under section 19 of the Act, a public authority may refuse a request where to either confirm or deny whether it holds information would itself be absolutely exempt information or qualified exempt information under the Act. In this instance, the Cabinet Office is unable to confirm or deny whether it holds the information requested as to do so would be absolutely exempt information under section 25(2) of the Act (Absolutely exempt personal information). Please quote the reference number 1318609 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely