Queries relating to Police Scotland's ‘Operation Broadcroft’ investigation: FOI release

Information requested

I would like to make a FOI request for any recently updated information that may have been made available regarding 'Operation Broadfoot'.

1. When exactly was the investigation started and what was the trigger for it being initiated.
2. When exactly was it given the name Operation Broadcroft and by whom?
3. When were the First Minister, the Lord Advocate and the Justice Minister informed and how.

Response

I have interpreted your questions as relating to the Police Scotland investigation ‘Operation Broadcroft’. In response to your first and second questions, our aim is to provide information whenever possible.

However, having conducted appropriate and proportionate searches for information in line with your requests, the Scottish Government holds no recorded information within the scope of your request.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.

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.

Outwith FOI legislation, it may be helpful to know that Operation Broadcroft is a Police Scotland investigation. You may wish to contact Police Scotland in relation your questions.

In response to your third question, the First Minister was made aware of Operation Broadcroft by the Directorate for Propriety and Ethics after the operation’s existence was disclosed publicly by Gordon Dangerfield on 30th August 2024.

In relation to your request for when the Lord Advocate and Justice Minister were informed, in this instance the Scottish Government does not hold that information. Under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Having conducted appropriate and proportionate searches for information in line with this part of your request, the Scottish Government holds no recorded information within the scope of that part of your request.

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.