Supports Scottish Independence/EFTA, works @ schools, McDs, referee, camp counselor, currently reading about the GFA negotiations, occasional FOIer...
Joined December 2019
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Really enjoyed watching this, recommended viewing. Not just about my FOIs but also FOI across Scotland and AI. I have thought myself that Katy Clarks Reform Bill can go further, watch this space.
🔥🎥 The Salmond files and the Scottish government’s ‘arrogant’, ‘disrespectful’ approach.
In the latest episode of The Steamie, I sat down with David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner.
You can watch the full interview on YouTube now:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=IUdtSC…
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I have received the SIC-ordered released documents, which the SG attempted to prevent disclosure (082/2026). The stand-out point is this: that SPADs attempted to prevent the disclosure of Colin McAllister's (the FM's chief of staff, the top SPAD) statement to the SIC as well as
💥 The Scottish Government’s attempt to prevent the disclosure of communications relating to John Swinney’s Chief of Staff, Colin McAllister potential involvement in the redactions to the Hamilton report (where he admitted to forgetting about what happened during a key meeting
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of the role of SPADs in handling FOI responses. That it was seemingly appropriate for them to be involved with a request that dealt with their head SPAD/chief of staff, and his refusal to give the SIC an affidavit is odd (see below): x.com/benjamin_harrop/status…
10 Jul 2025
🚨🚨 @McAllister1973, @JohnSwinney s Chief of Staff forgot about what happened during a key meeting that he and @JohnSwinney attended regarding the redaction process of the Hamilton Report. Revealed in FOI, regarding about his refusal to provide an affidavit to the @FOIScotland
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Also, the FOI team (civil servants) are in this FOI at odds with SPADs. This is undoubtedly good news that civil servants are clearly pushing back against the views of SPADs for non-disclosure of information!
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An interesting take here in this section which I would agree with. I sent my request back early 2021, because I was frustrated with the Inquiry: it's inability to obtain documents, some of it's members lack of curiosity, changing of evidence, insufficient powers etc. So I wanted
Credit where it’s due, because it is due.
spectator.com/article/westmi…
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Aberdein were too big to ignore. All MSPs should have seen his completed report, to make their own determination but they didn't. The legal advice was buried until a confidence was forced against John Swinney. Numerous failings from that inquiry have still not been fixed. Leslie
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Evans contract was extended, a decision that dumbfounded then, as it still does now. FOI is a tool that is available to all of us, and is especially critical in times when those who are meant to hold the Government to account fail.
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🚨 The Court of Session hearing date for the James Hamilton evidence, in which the SG is claiming that the SIC is ordering it to disclose information which it says is contempt of court will be heard on the 22nd of September. This is the FOI request which I requested back in 2021.
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information by the SG and heavily criticised their handling of the appeal process. This was SIC decision notice 279/2025 (foi.scot/commissioner-r…). The Government then appealed that decision but only on the grounds of the contempt exemption, accepting the SIC on the rest.
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Depending on what happens, there is also the possibility that the case ends up in the UK supreme court but we will wait and see. I am though thankful that over 5 years since I submitted the request we appear to be heading into the end game.
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Really interesting article here, strongly recommend a read.
Jun 8
Why the Scottish Government’s contempt of court over FOI should worry every SNP minister 👇
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The SIC has published on their website the following... it appears that this limit is more to prevent abuse from applicants/automated AI throwing appeals at the SIC, than to stop the general public. However, what this means in practice...
x.com/i/status/2064016694624…
Scotland faces a key juncture at this moment in time. Do we reform the FOISA act and invest more in the SIC to keep up with clear demand or do we do nothing, and make transparency and accountability a limited art?
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as the SIC says "The measure will be discretionary and implemented on a case-by-case basis, in circumstances where it is necessary to do so.", and that:
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Wild that two applicants sent 120 appeals across only two months. That represents just over 20% of their previous annual workload in 2024-25 (593 cases). I am much more hopeful though about this now compared with a few days ago!
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What?
He was also asked about SNP MPs planning to vote against the EHRC code of practice on single sex spaces
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Scotland faces a key juncture at this moment in time. Do we reform the FOISA act and invest more in the SIC to keep up with clear demand or do we do nothing, and make transparency and accountability a limited art?
Jun 8
The quiet rule change that could stop the public being able to unearth information they have a right to see 👇
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Mr Learmonth offered me the chance to comment due to my history with long delays and finding out about this 5 limit. My whole comment/thoughts can be found below!
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