Information relating to First Minister's visit to Washington DC in September 2025: FOI release

Information requested

1. Correspondence between the First Minister's Private Office and the British Embassy in Washington DC

2. Correspondence between senior (Deputy Director level and above) Scottish Government officials and the British Embassy Washington

3. Correspondence between the First Minister's Private Office and senior (Deputy Director level and above) Scottish Government officials regarding the First Minister's accommodation

4. You asked whether alternative accommodation options had been considered for the visit, and for details to be provided.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.

For questions 1-3, comprehensive record searches were carried out in line with your request, and no items in scope were returned.

The answer to question 4 is alternative accommodation options were considered. While the First Minister's stay at the Residence had been confirmed, officials provided a list of possible alternative accommodation options as follows:

Omni Shoreham Hotel	07‐Sep	08‐Sep
Cost per room per night	$314.00	$396.00
The Churchill Hotel	07‐Sep	08‐Sep
Cost per room per night	$256.00	$280.00
The Ven	07‐Sep	08‐Sep
Cost per room per night	$194.00	$321.00
The Washington Hilton	07‐Sep	08‐Sep
Cost per room per night	$212.00	$257.00

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