FOI/202000028279 · FOI · partially withheld
Correspondence regarding Former Finance Minister resignation: FOI release
Information requested
All correspondence between Scottish Government special advisers and Scottish Government communications staff in relation to allegations about Derek Mackay and his subsequent resignation from government between 5-12 February.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. A small amount of information has been redacted from the Annex provided as it is personal data consisting of names and contact details of individuals which is exempt from disclosure under section 38(1)(b) (personal information). Section 38(1)(b) can be applied when disclosure of the information requested would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the GDPR. This exemption is 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.
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.
Detected exemption language
A small amount of information has been redacted from the Annex provided as it is personal data consisting of names and contact details of individuals which is exempt from disclosure under section 38(1)(b) (personal information). Section 38(1)(b) can be applied when disclosure of the information requested would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the GDPR. This exemption is 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.