Correspondence regarding Child Grooming Public Inquiry: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about a child grooming public inquiry, between January 1 2025 and April 1 2025.

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.38(1)(b) (personal information), s.30(b)(i) (provision of advice) and s.30(c) (conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions applies are explained below.

An exemption(s) under s.38(1)(b) (personal information)of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption relates to personal information and specifically the person data of third parties. This applies in this case as the information you have requested includes detailed data of third parties.

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 s.30(b)(i) (provision of advice) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption relates to the free and frank provision of advice. 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 it relates to an issue of concern to the public. However, this is outweighed by the public interest as disclosure of this advice would likely have an inhibiting effect on the provision of advice on this matter.

An exemption under s.30(c) (conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption relates to the effective conduct of public affairs. 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 it relates to an issue of concern to the public. However, this is outweighed by the public interest as disclosure of this advice would otherwise prejudice substantially the effective conduct of public affairs on this matter.

You may also be interested to note that Scottish Government Ministers have made public statements on this issue elsewhere: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-07-01-2025?meeting=16182&iob=138214#138214 

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 202500465771 - Information Released - Annex 1

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