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Publication - FOI/EIR release

Number of times the former First minister and the current First Minister discussed the ongoing investigation: FOI release

Published 20 September 2018
Part of
Public sector

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

FOI reference: FOI/18/02294 
Date received: 27 August 2018 
Date responded: 20 September 2018
 
Information requested
 
In an interview with STV, former FM Alex Salmond said he discussed an internal Scottish Government investigation into his behaviour as FM “several times” with the current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
  1. How many times did Mr Salmond contact the First Minister between January 2018 to August 24, 2018 regarding the investigation?
  2. Did the First Minister or a civil servant make notes (electronic or physical) regarding the conversation—can you please provide the notes as part of the FOI.
  3. Were these notes/documents passed to the Permanent Secretary as part of the investigation?

Response

By reference to section 18(1) of FOISA we cannot confirm or deny whether any information is held. We are applying section 18(1) in conjunction with section 35(1)(c) (information exempt if disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice substantially the administration of justice).

 
The exemption in section 35(1)(c) is subject to the public interest test. We have viewed the public interest test to be the balance between the need to be open and transparent in our decision making and ensuring that we do not prejudice substantially the administration of justice. In that regard we cannot confirm or deny if any such information exists and we have concluded that the balance favours adopting that approach.
 
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

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit 
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000 
The Scottish Government 
St Andrew's House 
Regent Road 
Edinburgh 
EH1 3DG

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