Documents to and from the First Minister that mention Rangers Football Club: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by the Scottish Government to/from John Swinney that mentions Rangers or is from/to Rangers, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, from the last three months.

Response

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

Exemptions under sections 30(c) substantial prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs, 38(1)(b) personal data, and 39(1)(iii) safety of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Section 30(c) substantial prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs on this occasion relates to how Police Scotland report disturbances. 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 some public interest in release because the incidents which took place at the time of the match. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing misinterpretations of how Police Scotland disclose information.

Exemptions under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information because it relates to people below the grade of a senior civil servant.

Exemption under section 39(1)(iii) of FOISA applies to some of the information because could endanger the physical safety of the general public. 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 some public interest in release because the incidents which took place at the time of the match. However, this is outweighed by the public interest for potentially endangering the physical safety of people at future events.

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FOI 202500457186 - Information released - Annex

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