Correspondence regarding Professor of Global Public Health: FOI release

Information requested

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, etc, which is from/to/mention Devi Sridhar, from the past three months?

Response

Our searches identified two documents in scope to release.

A. WhatsApp conversation for Covid-19 Advisory Group

This is a WhatsApp group used by the Covid-19 Advisory Group chair and members of the secretariat.

Redactions have been applied to some of the information in this document. These are listed here.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and personal contact details and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice in selected instance could substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future.

This exemption is 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 a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered,
based on the best available advice. Disclosure in this case is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues, which in turn may undermine the quality of the advice feeding into the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future.

This exemption is 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 and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s position. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good advice can be given to inform decisions taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the [policy/decision]* making process, which would not be in the public interest.

B. RE: DR_Congo

Redactions have been applied to some of the information in this document. These are listed here.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

In addition to the two documents above, Devi Sridhar is also named in the Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness final report which was published on 26 November 2024. The report can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/pandemic-ready-safeguarding-future-throughpreparedness/

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 202500449177 - Information Released - Annex A & B

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