Running Out Racism correspondence and meetings: FOI release

Information requested

1. The dates and locations of all meetings between 1 December 2021 and 26 March 2025 that Scottish Government ministers or Scottish Government officials had (a) with Running out Racism (with or without others) and/or (b) with Paul Reddish (with or without others).

2. Any and all letters, emails or other forms of communication (including messages) which preceded or followed those meetings between the Scottish Government and Running out Racism or Paul Reddish.

3. The names of all those who attended those meetings.

4. The minutes, notes of meetings or any other forms of recording the discussions of those meetings.

5. Any other letters, emails or other forms of communication (including messages), and notes of telephone calls between the Scottish Government and Running out Racism or Paul Reddish from 1 December 2021 to 26 March 2025 inclusive.

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested in Document 27.

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Parliament website under the correspondence section and by searching 'Running out Racism'.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

An exemption(s) under section(s) s.38(1)(b) Personal Information of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party such as names and 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.

Exemptions under sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank advice and exchange of views) apply to some of the information requested. These exemptions apply because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. The exemptions recognise the need for Ministers to have a private space within which to seek advice and views before reaching the settled public position which will be given in whatever final lines are used. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice on racism in cricket will substantially inhibit such briefing in the future, particularly because these discussions relate to a sensitive subject matter.

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 exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. 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 free and frank advice and views to Ministers in briefings and lines to take. Premature disclosure of this type of information could lead to a reduction in the comprehensiveness and frankness of such advice and views in the future, which would not be in the public interest.

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 202500459291 - Information Released - Documents

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