FOI/202600521236 · FOI · partially withheld
Ministerial attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: FOI release
Information requested
Please provide all emails, submissions, notes, messages, diary records, briefing material and correspondence held by the Scottish Government relating to Alison Thewliss MSP’s planned absence from ministerial duties in connection with attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Please cover the period from the date Alison Thewliss MSP was appointed Minister for Community Care to 30 June 2026.
This should include information relating to:
when the Scottish Government, the First Minister’s Office, Special Advisers, Private Office or officials first became aware of the planned absence; whether the First Minister approved the absence; whether the absence was discussed in relation to ministerial duties, parliamentary business, portfolio responsibilities or stakeholder engagements; any cover arrangements, handover arrangements or delegation of ministerial responsibilities during the absence; any communications involving Alison Thewliss MSP’s Private Office, the First Minister’s Office, Special Advisers, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, the Permanent Secretary’s office or senior officials about the planned absence.
Response
In relation to parts 1 and 2 - the First Minister was informally made aware of Ms Thewliss’ intentions to attend the World Cup on 20th May. The formal notification from Ms Thewliss’ office was sent on 26th May and was signed off on 2nd June by the First Minister.
For part 3 of your request – any ministerial duties that needed covered for Ms Thewliss’ portfolio during the period she was permitted annual leave would be undertaken by Ms Constance or Ms Todd.
For parts 2, 3, 4 & 5 - please see the attached annex.
Section 29(1)(d) – Operation of any Ministerial Private Office
An exemption under section 29(1)(d) of FOISA (Ministerial private office) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the operation of any Ministerial private office. 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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, to ensure private offices operate efficiently and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Private Offices a private space to engage with their minister on logistics.
Section 30(b)(i) – Free and Frank Provision of Advice
The exemption of 30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies because disclosure would, or would likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation. The exemption recognises the need for Ministers to have a private space within which to seek advice and views from officials before reaching the settled public position.
Disclosing the full content of free and frank advice provided to, and by, Ministers would substantially inhibit such advice in the future, particularly because the provision of advice can relate to issues still ongoing and final decisions may not have been taken, and can relate to often fluid, evolving and sensitive issues.
We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of an open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. As outlined in the original response the above exemption is subject to the public interest test, and we found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of partially upholding the exemption for the advice.
There is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which Ministers can receive advice to manage their time in order to robustly defend the Government’s policies and decisions in a public forum. Finally, the premature disclosure of this type of information could lead to a reduction in the comprehensiveness and frankness of such advice in the future, which would not be in the public interest.
Section 30(b)(ii) – Free and Frank Exchange of Views for the Purpose of Deliberation
Some information has been withheld under Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation) because disclosure would, or would likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation.
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 disclosing the information as part of an open, transparent, and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space for ministers to share their views with officials for the purpose of deliberation and to inform future policy and decision making.
Section 38(1)(b) – Personal Information
An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. We are unable to provide some of the information because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to information relating to the names of junior staff members, and staff’s contact details, this is because it is personal data of a third party and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. 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 https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
Section 29(1)(d) – Operation of any Ministerial Private Office An exemption under section 29(1)(d) of FOISA (Ministerial private office) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the operation of any Ministerial private office. 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. Section 30(b)(i) – Free and Frank Provision of Advice The exemption of 30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies because disclosure would, or would likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation.