Correspondence regarding "A Fresh Start with Independence": FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between these individuals. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 July 2025 and 10 October 2025 inclusive.
2. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between Scottish Government officials with a rank of deputy director or higher regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between these individuals. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 July 2025 and 10 October 2025 inclusive.
3. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and any Scottish Government official with a rank of deputy director or higher regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between these individuals. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 July 2025 and 10 October 2025 inclusive.
4. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and any Scottish Government official with a rank of deputy director or higher regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between these individuals. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 July 2025 and 10 October 2025 inclusive.
Response
1. Some of the information you have requested is enclosed in Annex A of this letter. Exemptions under S.30(b)(ii) and S.38(i)(b) of FOISA apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex E of this letter.
2. Some of the information you have requested is enclosed in Annex B of this letter. Exemptions under S.30(b)(i), S.30(b)(ii), S.30(c) and S.38(i)(b) of FOISA apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex E of this letter.
3. Some of the information you have requested is enclosed in Annex C of this letter. Exemptions under S.30(b)(i), S.30(c) and S.38(i)(b) and S.39(1) of FOISA apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex E of this letter.
4. Some of the information you have requested is enclosed in Annex D of this letter. An exemption under S.38(i)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested. The reasons why this exemption applies is explained in Annex E of 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