Meeting held regarding hate crime vandalism: FOI release

Information requested

1. Information on how many times James Dornan MSP has met with the Irish voice and in what capacity.

2. The same information for [James Dornan MSP] interactions with the call it out group.

3. Any information on any Scottish Government attempts or meetings with unionist/protestant groups regarding sectarian abuse aimed at them.

Response

Attached is a copy of most of the information requested.

1/2. In relation to information requested regarding James Dornan MSP, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because the Scottish Government is not responsible for MSPs' interests or activities.

Government in Scotland (and the UK more widely) operates on a separation of powers basis, which divides government into 'branches', each with separate powers and responsibilities. As the elected, legislative assembly in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament is a separate branch from - and is wholly independent of - the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Parliament is responsible for supporting its elected members in their official activities as MSPs and may be able to provide the information you require. Advice on making an FOI request to the Scottish Parliament is available on their website at: Information rights | Scottish Parliament Website.

3. Information on any Scottish Government attempts or meetings with unionist/protestant groups regarding sectarian abuse aimed at them - Attached is a copy of most of the information requesed.

Some of the information you have requested is already publicly available at Justice Minister communications with Orange Order and Police Scotland: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

An exemption under S. 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information enclosed. Names of individuals have been redacted, where appropriate, as personal data. 

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.

FOI202100207828 - Information released

File type

4 page PDF

File size

453.0 kB