FOI/202600501237 · FOI · partially withheld
Minutes of meetings between First Minister and European Union's Ambassador to the United Kingdom: FOI release
Information requested
1. How many times has John Swinney met Pablo Serrano in the last 12 months, and
2. can you supply all minutes/notes from these meetings, as well as any written feedback from after them?
Response
I have assumed that you are referring to Pedro Serrano, the European Union's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. If this is not the case, please get in touch and let me know.
In response to the first part of your question, the First Minister met with Mr Serrano twice in the 12 months leading up to the date of your request (13 January).
In response to the second part or your request, I have attached a copy of the minutes from these meetings at Annex A to this letter.
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 exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information:
30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice
Information is exempt under sections 30(b)(i) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. 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. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in civil servants being able to provide free and frank advice to ministers.
28(1)- Substantial prejudice to UK relations
Section 28 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) exempts information from disclosure where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between administrations in the UK (e.g. between Westminster and Holyrood). 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. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the nations within the UK maintaining good working relationships.
38(1)(b) - Third party personal data
This relates to the personal data of civil servants below Senior Civil Service grades. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test'. This means that we do not have 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
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 exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information: 30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice Information is exempt under sections 30(b)(i) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. 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. 28(1)- Substantial prejudice to UK relations Section 28 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) exempts information from disclosure where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between administrations in the UK (e.g.