Mountbatten historic papers FOIA decision released by Tribunal

Dr Lownie, a historian and author, sought access to a small portion of the papers of Earl Mountbatten of Burma which had been kept closed under FOIA exemptions, in an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal which attracted significant media attention, including a leader column in The Times.  After a 5 day hearing last year, the Tribunal has now delivered its decision and has largely agreed with the Cabinet Office’s assessments of which documents should remain withheld under the relevant FOIA exemptions, finding that national security, international relations, royal household and personal data exemptions were engaged.  The vast majority of the archive is open to the public at the University of Southampton.  A copy of the decision is here.

Adam Heppinstall QC appeared for the Cabinet Office.

Adam regularly provides information rights (GDPR, FOIA and EIR) advice and representation for a range of public and private sector clients.