Formal complaints regarding Special Advisers: FOI release

Information requested

Whether any formal complaints have been made about the behaviour of Special Advisers since 1 May 2021 (including bullying, unprofessional behaviour, harassment, or any other type of complaint) from any staff member employed by the Scottish Government or its public bodies. If any were made, please indicate how they were resolved.

Response

Under the Scottish Government's disciplinary and grievance policies, line managers are expected to deal with concerns about inappropriate behaviour at an early stage and on an informal basis, where appropriate.

In relation to formal action under these policies, since 1 May 2021, there has been one formal complaint about the behaviour of a Special Adviser that has been reported by Scottish Government staff. While our aim is to provide information wherever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested relating to how this complaint was resolved because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to that information. This exemption applies because the information is the personal data of third parties and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles set out in Article 5(1) of the UK 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.

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.