Correspondence between former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and James Hamilton: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
In response to FOI/202100159382 The Scottish Government claimed it did not hold correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon/her office and James Hamilton.
Given the recent ruling by the Inner House and the Information Commissioner, it is clear that for the purposes of Freedom of Information, this information is held.
In light of this, please provide me with correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon/her office and James Hamilton.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation), s.30(c) (effective conduct of public affairs) and s.38(1)(b) (third party personal information) of FOISA apply to that information.
The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG