Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO (previously FCO)

The complainant requested correspondence between the then Secretary of State, Lord Cameron, and the Permanent Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regarding potential conflicts of interest. The FCDO refused to disclose the requested information on the basis of sections 40(2) (third party personal data) and 41 (information provided in confidence) of FOIA. It later sought to rely on sections 36(2)(b) and (c) (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs).  The Commissioner’s decision is that the FCDO was entitled to rely on section 40(2) to refuse the request. No steps are required.