202300359276 · FOI · partially withheld
Correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance: FOI release
Information requested
A copy of all correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance from 31 March 2023 until present.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested at Annex A.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested because exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and we are also applying exemption Section 30 of FOISA which exempts information from disclosure where disclosure would, or would be likely to, cause substantial harm to the following:
the free and frank provision of advice
Section 30 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, we believe that there is greater public benefit in allowing Ministers and Special Advisers a space to provide and discuss advice.
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
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested because exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and we are also applying exemption Section 30 of FOISA which exempts information from disclosure where disclosure would, or would be likely to, cause substantial harm to the following: the free and frank provision of advice Section 30 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.