Watchdog rebukes Scottish Government over bid to hide Sturgeon Supreme Court emails

The Scottish Information Commissioner has ruled that the Scottish Government must re-examine its refusal to disclose internal correspondence regarding the 2022 Supreme Court reference on Scottish independence. By rejecting the government's cost-based exemptions, the decision underscores the critical importance of accountability in high-stakes constitutional matters. This enforcement action serves as a significant precedent, demonstrating that administrative cost claims will be rigorously scrutinized to prevent them from becoming tools for suppressing public knowledge. The core issue lies in the government’s inconsistent and unsubstantiated estimates regarding the effort required to process the Freedom of Information request. The Commissioner highlighted discrepancies in document counts and methodologies, noting the government's reluctance to provide verifiable evidence of its searches. This lack of transparency suggests a systemic attempt to obstruct access to information rather than a genuine inability to comply. The ruling emphasizes that open data principles require rigorous, verifiable adherence to procedural standards, rather than vague assertions of excessive workload. This case is highly relevant to open_data advocates because it reinforces the necessity of verifiable data transparency in government operations. It illustrates how open data mechanisms can effectively check executive power, ensuring that citizens have access to the decision-making processes behind major political strategies. By compelling the disclosure of digital communications, the ruling supports the broader goal of democratic accountability, proving that even sensitive political discussions are subject to public scrutiny under freedom of information laws.

Source: heraldscotland.com
Published on 2025-09-26

Watchdog rebukes Scottish Government over bid to hide Sturgeon Supreme Court emails

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