Correspondence regarding former First Minister's Memoir: FOI release

Information requested

Regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir ‘Frankly’ that is to be published:

• Any internal Scottish Government correspondence between 1 January 2023 and present discussing Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, including any involvement by civil servants, special advisers, or ministers.
• All communications between the First Minister’s private office and Nicola Sturgeon (including her office) referring to her memoir between 1 January 2023 and present.
• Any records of Nicola Sturgeon using Scottish Government offices, meeting rooms, or communications equipment (phones, laptops, etc.) for work relating to her memoir.
• Any expense claims submitted by Nicola Sturgeon or government staff relating to meetings, travel, or events associated with the writing or promotion of Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.
• Internal communications between the Scottish Government’s communications directorate and any ministers, special advisers, or civil servants referring to Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.
• Any briefings prepared for ministers or officials regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.

Response

My response, ordered as per your request, is set out below.

Any internal Scottish Government correspondence between 1 January 2023 and present discussing Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, including any involvement by civil servants, special advisers, or ministers.

Material considered relevant to your request has been identified and is set out in the Annex to this letter. I am also including a link to a response to a recent FOISA request which contains the letter referred to at ‘Doc 7’: Correspondence relating to memoirs of Former First Minister: FOI release - gov.scot. In this instance we are unable to provide some of the information, which has been redacted. That is because exemptions under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice); section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views); section 33(1)(b) (Commercial interests) and section 38(1)(b) (Personal data) of FOISA applies to it. The first three 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.

All communications between the First Minister’s private office and Nicola Sturgeon (including her office) referring to her memoir between 1 January 2023 and present.

Material considered relevant to your request has been identified and is set out in the Annex to this letter.

However, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information, which has been redacted. That is because exemptions under section 38(1)(b) (Personal data) of FOISA applies to it.

Any records of Nicola Sturgeon using Scottish Government offices, meeting rooms, or communications equipment (phones, laptops, etc.) for work relating to her memoir.

Ms Sturgeon neither sought or made use of Scottish Government offices, meeting rooms, or communications equipment for work relating to her memoir.

Any expense claims submitted by Nicola Sturgeon or government staff relating to meetings, travel, or events associated with the writing or promotion of Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.

No expense claims were submitted to the Scottish Government by Ms Sturgeon or government officials relating to meetings, travel, or events associated with the writing or promotion of Ms Sturgeon’s memoir.

Internal communications between the Scottish Government’s communications directorate and any ministers, special advisers, or civil servants referring to Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.

Material considered relevant to your request has been identified and is set out in the Annex to this letter.

However, in this instance, we are unable to provide some of the information, which has been redacted.

This is because exemptions under section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and section 38(1)(b) (Personal data) of FOISA applies to it. The former 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.

Any briefings prepared for ministers or officials regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir.

Material considered relevant to your request has been identified and is set out in the Annex to this letter.

However, in this instance, we are unable to provide some of the information, which has been redacted.

This is because exemptions under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and section 33(1)(b) (Commercial interests) of FOISA applies. 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.

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 202500465697 - Information Released - Annex

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