Meeting with the Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK: FOI release

Information requested

3. All documentation held from/about John Swinney's meeting with Husam Zomlot on September 1 2025, including minutes/notes from it, briefings ahead of it, correspondence setting it up, and analysis after it, between August 15 2025 and September 31 2025.

4. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, which mentions or is to/from Guillermo Del Toro, from the last six months.

Response

For question three I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. Some of the information provided is available at: FOI+202400436392+-+Information+Released+-+Annex.pdf. 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 exemptions under 38(1)(b) (personal information of a third party), Section 28(1) relations with the UK, Section 32(1)(a), international relations and Section 30(b)(i),
Free and Frank Provision of Advice of FOISA applies to that information.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b), personal information, of FOISA applies to some of the information you requested because it is personal data of a third party (i.e. names/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.

An exemption under section 32(1)(a), international relations, of FOISA applies to some of the information that you requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the UK and another state and the promotion or protection by the UK of its interests abroad.

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, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in ensuring the protection of the UK’s interests abroad.

An exemption under section 28(1), relations within the United Kingdom, of FOISA applies to some of the information you requested. The reason section 28 (1) applies to the information request is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the Scottish Government and other administrations within the UK, including the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive 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 exemptions. 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 disclosing information as part of open government and transparency. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that relations between administrations within the UK are protected, so that they can continue to operate effectively and in the public interest.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i), free and frank provision of advice, of FOISA applies to some of the information you requested. This reason section 30(b)(i) applies to the information request is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice between officials and Ministers. 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 disclosing information as part of open government and transparency. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that officials and Ministers can provide and receive free and frank advice, which is essential for the proper and effective conduct of government business.

For question four, 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 exemptions under 38(1)(b) (personal information of a third party) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

Section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information of a third party): This exemption applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party i.e. the names 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.

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.