Communications and briefings relating to Accunostics Ltd and ODX Innovations Ltd: FOI release

Information requested

1. All communications (emails, letters, meeting notes, instant messages, recorded minutes, etc.) between:

• Any Scottish Government Minister, Special Adviser, or civil servant
• And either Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) or Audit Scotland that relate to any of the following entities: Accunostics Limited ODX Innovations Limited (including its previous name Orbital Diagnostics Limited)

2. Any internal Scottish Government documents — including briefing notes, submissions, or risk assessments — prepared in relation to the companies above.

3. Any correspondence with MSPs or MPs regarding either company, from 1 January 2014 to the present.

Response

• I enclose a copy of emails relating to your request
• I enclose a copy of documents relating to your request

Exemptions under sections 33(1)(b) and 38)1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Section 33(1)(b) - information that would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in withholding this information as releasing this would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of the person or organisation mentioned.

Section 38(1)(b) - Personal data of third parties e.g. names, email addresses and phone numbers

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.

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 202500469963 - Information Released - Annex

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