Mike Hill, MP's expenses

I can confirm that we hold information relevant to your request.

Please find attached to this email copies of the documents. Some information has been redacted from the documents and is subject to a Refusal Notice under sections 31, 38 and 40 of the FOIA and in accordance with Section C of IPSA’s Publication Policy.

RFI-202109-09 – Disclosure documents

Section 31(1)(a) – law enforcement

This exemption applies where the disclosure of information would or would be likely to prejudice the prevention of crime. IPSA relies on this exemption to withhold the banking details of suppliers and other transactional references. IPSA believes that the disclosure of these details could leave those concerned more vulnerable to financial crime, in particular fraud and electronic crime, especially with the increase in cyber-attacks.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test. IPSA does not consider that the withholding of this information has a negative impact on the understanding of these claims. We therefore find that the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this time.

Section 38(1)(b) – health and safety

This exemption applies where disclosure of information would, or would be likely to endanger the safety of any individual.

IPSA relies on this exemption to withhold Mr Hill’s private address and information which could identify hotel accommodation. IPSA maintains that disclosure of Mr Hill’s private address carries a high risk of endangering him and connected parties. In addition, providing information which could identify the hotel carries a high risk of endangering MPs and their staff who may use this accommodation in future.

IPSA understands how disclosure of information about the hotel may enable the public to understand the choices made by MPs when selecting hotel accommodation. However, we believe that withholding this information does not have a negative impact on the understanding of this case and in considering disclosure we also have to consider our duty of care to MPs, their staff and connected parties, including any dependents and other members of the public, and any consequences which may arise from our response.

MPs and their staff have difficult jobs, and IPSA is aware that the decision to disclose certain categories of information could make it more difficult for them to fulfil these. This would have a knock-on effect on those whom MPs and their staff try to help. IPSA, therefore, maintains that the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this time.

Sections 40(2) and 40(3A)(a) – personal data

This exemption applies to information which IPSA considers to be personal data within the meaning of Article 4(1) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (UK GDPR) which states,

‘personal data’ means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly

IPSA considered that the following are personal data within this definition: banking and financial information of suppliers; names of MPs' and supplier’s staff. We then considered whether disclosure of this personal data would breach any of the Principles relating to the processing of personal data in the UK GDPR.

The relevant principle falls at Article 5(1)(a),

Personal data shall be:

a. Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject

As IPSA was unable to find a lawful basis on which it could rely, within Article 6 of the UK GDPR, it therefore finds that the information is exempt under section 40.