FOI/202300384504 · FOI · partially withheld
Sexual misconduct in sport meetings: FOI release
Information requested
A record of meetings involving Scottish Government officials and any internal or external parties (such as individuals, campaign organisations, governing body representatives, other elected officials) on the topic of sexual misconduct in sport since January 1st, 2017. Including the date of each meeting, the subject of each meeting, which Scottish Government official(s) were in attendance, the name of other individuals and/or organisations in attendance; and any minutes or other documents regarding the meeting that are fit for disclosure.
Response
As per your request, I have provided below a table of meetings which have taken place since 1st January 2017. I have included the relevant meeting documents which are signposted within the table.
An exemption under sections S.38(1)(b) Personal Information of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. These exemptions prevents us releasing the personal information of officials who are below the rank of Senior Civil Servant. 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.
An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some the information requested because it relates to the development] of the Scottish Government’s policy on position of trust legislation. 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, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on position of trust will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.
Date Subject Official Organisation/Individual Minutes/Other docs Document Number 2 February 2017 Meeting with NSPCC [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] NSPCC Meeting note available. Document 1 25 March 2021 Ministerial meeting with Children 1st [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd Sportscotland Children 1st Meeting briefing available. Document 5 1 February 2022 Abuse in Sport [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd Kyniska Advocacy sportscotland Meeting briefing available. Document 2 17 May 2022 Meeting with Val McDermid [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Meeting briefing available. Document 3 15 December 2022 Positions of Trust [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Scottish Government Active Scotland Unit and Criminal Justice Team. No meeting documents available. Document 4 31 May 2023 Sexual Misconduct in Sport Roundtable [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd End Sexual Misconduct in Sport Paul O’Kane, MSP MSPs Rape Crisis Scotland Kyniska Advocacy Scottish Women in Sport Briefing and note of meeting. Document 8 11 September 2023 Safeguarding [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Sportscotland No meeting documents available. Document 9. 20 September 2023 Discussion on their inclusion in the meeting on 01/11/23 [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Internal SG Policy Teams – Faith and Belief Policy and Active Scotland Unit No meeting documents available. No documents to release. 25 September 2023 Meeting with Children 1st [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd Children 1st Briefing and note of meeting. Document 10 25 October 2023 Meeting with End Sexual Misconduct in Sport [redacted - s.38(1)(b) - personal information] Maree Todd End Sexual Misconduct in Sport Sportscotland Briefing and note of meeting. Document 7 1 Nov 2023 Positions of Trust [redacted - s.38(1) (b) - personal information] Internal SG Policy Teams – Faith and Belief Policy, Child Protection, Criminal Justice, Connected Communities and Active Scotland Unit No meeting documents available. Document 6 and Document 11
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Detected exemption language
An exemption under sections S.38(1)(b) Personal Information of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. These exemptions prevents us releasing the personal information of officials who are below the rank of Senior Civil Servant. 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. An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some the information requested because it relates to the development] of the Scottish Government’s policy on position of trust legislation. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.