University of Newcastle upon Tyne

The complainant has requested a document written by the University following a public interest disclosure. Newcastle University (“the University”) relied on section 36(2)(c) (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) of FOIA to withhold the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the University was correct to withhold the requested information under section 36(2)(c). However, the Council breached section 10(1) of FOIA by failing to respond to the request within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require further steps.