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Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

CheshireSK9 5AF

5th August 2013

Dear Sir,

I am writing to appeal to the Information Commissioner regarding a Cabinet Office internal review

decision to refuse the disclosure of information regarding an employee of the Household of the

Prince of Wales on secondment to the Cabinet Office.

My original Freedom of Information request, reference number XXXXXXXX, asked a series of 

questions regarding the employee in question.

I asked:

● When did this employee begin their secondment at the Cabinet Office?

● How many days a week do they work at the Cabinet Office?

● What is their job description / what are their responsibilities at the Cabinet Office?

● How much are they being paid?

● What level of security clearance do they have?

The response from the Cabinet Office FOI team confirmed that they hold information relevant to

my request, but refused to answer any of the questions with exception to the query regarding the

employee’s salary. They cited the Data Protection Act, specifically that “personal data must be

processed fairly and lawfully”.

I subsequently wrote to Roger Smethurst, Deputy Director and Head of Knowledge and

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Information Unit Management at the Cabinet Office, requesting an internal review (reference

number XXXXXXXX). Mr Smethurst ruled that “the Cabinet Office correctly applied the absolute

exemption at Section 40(2), in reliance on s.40(3)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act”.

Having exhausted all other options, I am therefore appealing to the Information Commissioner.

My appeal argues that there is no substance to the claim that releasing the informationrequested would contravene the Data Protection Act. I have asked for no information that would

reveal the identity of the employee in question, and there is no danger of “personal data” being

released whatsoever. Frankly this explanation is risible.

Furthermore, since the employee is a public servant whose salary is paid by the taxpayer, the

public interest in releasing answers to these questions cannot be understated. I am sure you

agree that there is an utmost importance for transparency and an undeniable public interest

regarding the involvement of the Prince of Wales in the running of government. I hope you will

take these factors into consideration when you make your decision.

I enclose my correspondence with the Cabinet Office and Mr Smethurst for your reference. I

await your response.

Yours faithfully,

 Alex Wickham

Guido Fawkes blog

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