Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora meeting documentation: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence and received (including internal), minutes/notes from the meeting, briefings and analysis about Angus Robertson's meeting with Minister for Diaspora Neale Richmond on June 16/17, between June 1 2025 and August 1 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy of most 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 an exemption(s) under section(s) s.29(1)(a) (formulation or development of Scottish Government policy); s.29(1)(d) (operation of any Ministerial Private office); s.30(b)(i) (free and frank advice); s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views); s.30(c) (otherwise prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs); s.32(1)(a)(i) (International relations); and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Annex A

s.29(1)(a) (formulation or development of Scottish Government policy)

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 there is a general interest in the work of Scottish Government Ministers and the policies being considered. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in granting privacy to Ministers to allow for a full consideration of proposed policy changes before incomplete details are released to the public, and thus undermining government confidence.

s.29(1)(d) (operation of any Ministerial Private office)

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 disclosure of information promotes an open government and allows for public scrutiny on the administration of public affairs. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in permitting a confidential environment for Ministerial Private Offices to provide support and make decisions without excessive or undue scrutiny. Disclosure of internal processes could reveal sensitive operations and hinder future decision making.

s.30(b)(i) (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 to support the transparency and accountability of government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide candid advice to Ministers is essential. It would not be in the public interest to prematurely disclosure of such information as this could inhibit future comprehensiveness.

s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views)

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 to support the transparency and accountability of government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide candid advice and opinion to Ministers is essential. It would not be in the public interest to prematurely disclosure of such information as this could inhibit future comprehensiveness.

s.30(c) (otherwise prejudice 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 there is an interest in understanding how decisions were reached, promoting an open government and thus allowing for public scrutiny and accountability . However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing permission for officials to deliberate their advice to Ministers without undue or excessive scrutiny. The confidential preservation of this advice that may be misinterpreted or taken out of context and therefore undermine the confidence in Government decision making.

s.32(1)(a)(i) (relations between the UK and any other state)

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 to support the transparency and accountability of government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that the UK Government maintains positive relations with other states to promote, protect and further the UK's interests abroad. The Scottish Government risks jeopardising these relations by disclosing confidential or sensitive information as revealed in confidence by another state.

s.38(1)(b) (personal information relating to third party)

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the 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.

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FOI 202500488096 - Information released - Documents

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