Peter Stead v Information Commissioner

Peter Stead v Information Commissioner

On the balance of probabilities, DCMS did not hold the names of individual external attendees for the meetings in April and July 2023. The Appellant's arguments are speculative and unsupported by evidence. DCMS's search and explanations were reasonable and consistent, and there is no basis to require further investigation or evidence. The Decision Notice was in accordance with the law.

Parties
Appellant: Peter Stead; Respondent: Information Commissioner
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Final Determination
Outcome
Appeal refused
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information, Disclosure of Information, Public Authority Records
Information Rights Administrative Law Freedom of Information Disclosure of Information Public Authority Records

Case Brief

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Parties

Peter Stead

Appellant

Information Commissioner

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether DCMS holds the names of individual external attendees at DCMS Bullying and Harassment Roundtable meetings held in April and July 2023
  2. 2 Adequacy of DCMS's search for requested information
  3. 3 Whether the Commissioner properly exercised discretion in the Decision Notice

Ratio Decidendi

On the balance of probabilities, DCMS did not hold the names of individual external attendees for the meetings in April and July 2023. The Appellant's arguments are speculative and unsupported by evidence. DCMS's search and explanations were reasonable and consistent, and there is no basis to require further investigation or evidence. The Decision Notice was in accordance with the law.

Court Disposition

Appeal refused