Former Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

Information requested

Aileen Campbell's Covid 19 WhatsApp messages.

Response

I have taken the period of your request to apply from 21 January 2020 when the World Health Organisation published its ‘Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation Report, up until 20 May 2021 when Ms Campbell demitted office.

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

Some of the information you have requested is available in answer to previous Freedom of Information requests you have made. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

Exemptions under section 29(1)(b)&(d) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested, as it relates to Ministerial Communications or the operations of a Ministerial Private Office.

These exemptions are 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 allowing Ministers a private space which allows for full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers, and for private offices to focus on managing and administering Ministers' work efficiently without external interference and distraction.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400436351 - Information Released - Annex

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