26-27/016

We refer to your request for information (FOI 26-27/016) dated 03 August 2026 which we have handled under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). 

You asked:

“Can I request the information which the Scottish Information Commissioner ordered the General Teaching Council for Scotland to disclose in Decision 168/2026 (Case Ref: 202501581), concerning correspondence between the Scottish Government, the First Minister's Office, John Swinney's constituency office and the GTCS.

The Commissioner concluded that the information withheld under section 30(c) was not exempt and required disclosure.

Specifically, please provide:

The information that was withheld under section 30(c) and which the Commissioner ordered GTCS to disclose.

The two letters referenced in the decision notice containing the disputed redactions, showing the material now required to be released.

Any disclosures made to the applicant in compliance with Decision 168/2026.”

Our response:

Please find the attached records as previously disclosed, labelled “FOI 26-27/016-Records”, accompanying this response.

By way of advice and assistance, you might be interested in FOI 25-26/017 on our Disclosure Log, which relates to the freedom of information request that led to Decision 168/2026.

Right to review and appeal:

You may request a review of how we have dealt with this information request if you are dissatisfied with this response. This can be done by contacting us at informationgovernance@gtcs.org.uk, describing your original request and explaining the basis for your dissatisfaction. You have 40 working days following the date of receipt of this response to submit a review request.  

Once the review process has been completed, if you are still dissatisfied, you have 6 months in which you can apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision. See the Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance on making an appeal for information about how to do this.