First Minister emails related to the Lord Advocate and the former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

Information requested

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received on 20th February, 21st February , 22nd February and 23rd February. (2026)

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 exemptions under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, ie 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.

Section 30(b)(i) (free and frank advice) applies to a small amount of information you have requested. 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 public interest in release because of public and media interest in this case. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in supporting Ministers to receive free and frank advice from officials to allow the effective conduct of public affairs.

Section 29(1)(d) (operation of a ministerial private office) applies to a small amount of information you have requested. 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 public interest in release because of public and media interest in this case. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in favour of enabling ministerial private offices to operate effectively to support ministers.

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.

FOI 202600508331 - Information Released - Annex

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