Privy Council Office (Re), 2026 OIC 26
The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) improperly withheld information concerning intelligence committee meetings from 1972, citing exemptions related to confidential government information, international affairs, national security, investigative bodies, and personal information. PCO released some information during the investigation but continued to withhold other records. The Information Commissioner found that PCO had not met the requirements for most of the claimed exemptions, particularly given the age of the records and the fact that similar information had been previously disclosed publicly. Consequently, the Commissioner ordered PCO to release most of the remaining withheld information and to re-exercise discretion on a few specific pages.
- Timeliness of exemption claims for historical records
- Demonstration of reasonable expectation of harm
- Public domain status of information
- Proper exercise of discretion
Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered
The Commissioner found that the Privy Council Office failed to demonstrate that the withheld information met the requirements of the claimed exemptions under the Access to Information Act, considering the age of the records and the availability of similar information in the public domain.
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The Commissioner ordered the Privy Council Office to release specific pages of records entirely, re-exercise discretion on other pages, and provide a new response within 36 business days.
- s.13(1) ATIA
- s.15(1) ATIA
- s.16(1)(a) ATIA
- s.16(1)(b) ATIA
- s.16(1)(c) ATIA
- s.19(1) ATIA
- s.13(2) ATIA
This decision is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.