Correspondence between the First Minister and any other Minister/Civil servant regarding the allegations against the former First Minister: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/02296  
Date received: 27 August 2018
Date responded: 20 September 2018
 

Information requested
 

A copy of all correspondence between the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and any other Minister and/or member of staff with Alex Salmond in relation to allegations made against Mr Salmond which are subject to a Scottish Government investigation and a Police Investigation. This should include, email, letter and through any electronic device and app including text, whatsapp, snap chat etc.
 

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
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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