Request
The file FCO 168/608 was originally closed until January 2023, but it has since been opened on 4 March 2022. Can you confirm why this file was opened on 4 March 2022? (e.g. was it opened in response to an FOI request?) rather than January 2023? May I see a copy of the FOI request if indeed this file was opened early due to an FOI request?
Outcome
Some information provided.
Response
FCO 168/608 was opened in response to an FOI request.
We are unable to provide you with a copy of the FOI request for access to FCO 168/608 as this is covered by the exemption at section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This exempts personal information about a ‘third party’ (someone other than the requester), if revealing it would break the terms of Data Protection Legislation. Data Protection Legislation prevents personal information from release if it would be unfair or at odds with the reason why it was collected, or where the subject had officially served notice that releasing it would cause them damage or distress. Personal information must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner as set out by Article 5 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The request was submitted to TNA through Discovery, our online catalogue, which triggers a review of the record.
While we are unable to provide you with the FOI request, attached please find the outcome of that FOI request for access to this record. Some information within the attached material has been redacted under section 40(2) of the FOI Act. The information which has been redacted is the identity of the individual who submitted the FOI request to The National Archives. The format of the outcome response to the requester contains a summary of the request, much like this corporate response.
Please use the following web link to access a copy of this information: https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/cas-85281-email-redacted.pdf.