First Minister and Scottish and Southern Energy meeting regarding the Skye project: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
According to the Scottish Parliament Lobbying register, on the 17th March, 2025, the First Minister, John Swinney, met SSE at Edinburgh Castle at a dinner where the topic of discussion was the SSE Skye project “where we were already two and a half years into the process of consenting on an existing line. We Proposed a follow up meeting with the First Minister”.
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act , 2002, I would like to request:-
(a) The minutes of the meeting and any subsequent follow up meeting.
(b) The attendees of the meeting.
(c) Briefing notes, speaking notes, emails and other written communication, including WhatsApp and text messages, to and from the First Minister regarding the meeting and any subsequent meeting on the topic.
(d) Details of the financial value of any entertainment supplied to the First Minister and any other public service employees or agents. Was this declared to the Scottish Parliament? Were there any direct or indirect costs to the public purse for example transport, salaries or expenses?
(e) Please confirm that the background and/or security clearance of any attendees at the meeting or any follow up meeting was vetted.
Response
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested in parts (a), (b) and (c) of your request because an exemption under section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained in Annex A of the document attached with this letter.
I have provided the information you have requested in parts (d) and (e) of your request in Annex B of the document attached with this letter.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG