FOI/202600520156 review of 202600516145 · FOI · partially withheld
Notes and feedback from 2026 ministerial exit interviews: FOI Review
Information requested
Original request 202600516145
Under FOI, please provide copies of all notes and feedback taken from ministerial exit interviews for the current outgoing set of Ministers in 2026.
Response
Further to our letter of 5th June 2026, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for “copies of all notes and feedback taken from ministerial exit interviews for the current outgoing set of Ministers in 2026“.
I have been asked by Andrew Bruce, Director for Communications and Ministerial Support, to respond to your review request because I was not involved in handling your original request.
In your request for review, dated 4th June 2026, you have expressed dissatisfaction as you “believe it is in the public interest to understand what departing ministers have said.”
I have concluded that the original decision should be confirmed with modifications.
Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation was applied to some of the information that was withheld and I am of the view that the exemption still applies. However the modification is that, as a result of my review, we will release some further information on the areas of general consensus.
This is in the public interest as it shows a commitment to continuous improvement in the Civil Service, whilst also protecting the importance of having a safe space for free and frank exchange and deliberation. Any release of further information would have a detrimental impact on the ability to share frank and free reflections and could also identify teams or individuals therefore Section 30(b)(ii) still applies.
The exemption is subject to the public interest test which I have also reconsidered as part of my review and is outlined in Annex A below.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation was applied to some of the information that was withheld and I am of the view that the exemption still applies. Any release of further information would have a detrimental impact on the ability to share frank and free reflections and could also identify teams or individuals therefore Section 30(b)(ii) still applies. The exemption is subject to the public interest test which I have also reconsidered as part of my review and is outlined in Annex A below.