@cfoiscot.bsky.social
CFolS campaigns for a robust legal right to access information so people can find out how they are governed and how 'public' services operate.
Santa checks off his list
We have checked off the list and confirm that there are 108 submissions published on the website! The submissions provide a rich source of information and are accessible at yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
04.12.2025 14:44 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Read the published responses to the SPPA Committee's consultation on the Bill here: yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
03.12.2025 15:48 — 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
SPPA Committee receives 108 Stage 1 Consultation Responses to the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee recently a call for views on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, receiving 108 responses, with about 60 of these coming from the public.
This is an impressive response rate as it was a four week process. The submissions provide a rich source of information about daily FoI practice across Scotland and evidence why reform is needed on the problems addressed by the Bill. The SPICe summary of the submissions also evidence a significant majority in support of the Bill.
Some of the responses have been published online and are available to read on the Scottish Parliament’s website.
The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee received 108 responses to its consultation on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill!
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Inside the latest instalment of our newsletter
Information on upcoming free events An update on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Act UK COVID Inquiry Report Scottish Government commits to reforming the law to combat against SLAPPs FoI Request Roundup FoI in Europe FoI Globally and more...
Have a look inside the November instalment of our newsletter!
If you want to find out more, sign up to our newsletter via the ‘Support Us’ page on our website: cfois.scot/support-us/
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Scottish Government Ministers ordered to publish Nicola Sturgeon inquiry evidence - BBC News - 223 points in decision providing transparency on its complexity & explain ScotGovt’s poor handling of the case. @KatySClark @NUJScotland @unitescotland.bsky.social
28.11.2025 19:43 — 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
“I would like to point out that, not only is there no proof in this case, but there is a complete lack of 'mens rea' which, by definition, tells us that there can be no crime without a vicious will.” - Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’
‘Mens rea’ is a concept in Criminal Law which refers to the ‘mental’ element of a crime. According to criminal law, criminal intention (mens rea) is required for a crime to have been committed. The broad areas of mens rea which are considered in a criminal case include intention, recklessness, negligence, strict liability and knowledge.
Thanks to Elle, the legal concept which applies to the proposed criminal offence of altering records with intent to prevent disclosure contained in the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, was mainstreamed!
Thanks to Reese Witherspoon's character in 'Legally Blonde', the concept of 'mens rea' was popularised. In this post, we explore how the concept relates to the FoI Reform Bill's proposed criminal offence of altering records!
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #foi #criminallaw #LegallyBlonde
This morning Katy Clark MSP and CFoIS director Carole Ewart gave evidence on the FoI Reform Bill to the SPPA Committee in a session intended to inform consideration of the Bill’s general principles. CFoIS thanks the Committee for having us.
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #foi #Scotland
Theatre logbooks of disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel destroyed by NHS Tayside - BBC News - The inquiry chair Lord Weir had issued a formal "do not destroy" notice to the health board in Oct 2024 but it failed to comply. Shocking revelation! @joannaccherry www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
26.11.2025 19:54 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Event Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) Speakers Announcement In celebration of Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day Online 1 December 2:00PM to 4:00PM GMT
Speakers at SPIF on Monday include: Felicitas Strickmann, FragDenStaat Marzena Błaszczyk, Citizens Network Watchdog Poland Catherine Russell Care Home Relatives Scotland Reports and updates will be given by: David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner Deborah Clark, UK Information Commissioner’s Office Michael Birrell, Scottish Government Carole Ewart, CFoIS
Felicitas Strickmann, FragDenStaat The NGO will explain its work and how it secured public support to defend and save the FoI law that was due to be abolished by the newly elected German Government in 2024. Marzena Błaszczyk, Citizens Network Watchdog Poland The NGO will explain its work and why Scotland’s FoI Reform Bill is a beacon internationally.
Catherine Russell, Care Home Relatives Scotland On why a reformed FoI law matters in Scotland Tickets are available to book via EventBrite now!
SPIF will convene on Monday, 1st December, with a packed agenda, including speakers from FragDenStaat, @siecobywatelska.bsky.social and Care Home Relatives Scotland.
Book a free ticket here: www.eventbrite.com/e/scottish-p...
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi #event
Event The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to update on the FoISA Reform Bill and celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day Free Location: Online 1 December at 2:00PM to 4:00PM GMT
The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day. An update on the Stage 1 process of the Bill will be provided and the focus of the event will be on championing FoI as an ‘Everyday Essential’ Human Right. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Speakers include: Felicitas Strickmann from FragDenStaat, a non-profit project of the Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner Deborah Clark, UK Information Commissioner’s Office Michael Birrell, Scottish Government Carole Ewart, CFoIS
Previously, the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) convened, in person at the Scottish Parliament and online, on the 26th September 2025, with 45 people from across Scotland in attendance. You can book a free ticket for SPIF via Eventbrite now.
The next SPIF meeting is just around the corner. The agenda includes a presentation from Felicitas Strickmann of FragDenStaat. Get a ticket now to avoid missing out!
Tickets available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/scottish-p...
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi #event
Silhouetted submarine with crew on top at sea, under dramatic clouds. Text below reads: "Navy made legal threats to try and keep nuclear pollution secret."
🔴 NEW: Emails reveal that naval chiefs piled pressure on environment watchdog to hide details of radioactive contamination on the Clyde.
Our latest: www.theferret.scot/navy-try-keep-nuclear-pollution-secret/
Thank you to the participants in CFoIS' breakout session, ‘The Snakes and Ladders of the Public Interest Test’, for an energetic and engaging session at Holyrood’s FoI Conference yesterday. Thanks to the organisers for having us!
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #foi #holyrood #conference
The FoI Reform Bill may run out of time before completing the 3 stage parliamentary process, according to the Minister for Parliamentary Business when speaking at today's annual FoI Conference. Lots of work to do by March 2026!
@rmtunion.bsky.social @unitescotland.bsky.social
Yesterday's evidence session about freedom of information in Scotland felt really positive and ambitious - much needed at the moment!
Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
Thanks to Richard Leonard for attending @KatySClark’s briefing in the FoI Reform Bill. He chaired the parliamentary Inquiry which recommended legal reform of FoI Law in May 2020. 5 years later that will happen if the MSPs Bill is passed.
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi
Thank you to @katysclark.bsky.social MSP for holding last night's roundtable at the Scottish Parliament on the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill! The speeches and discussion provided a much needed opportunity to discuss the Bill's importance
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/stan... Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee | Scottish Parliament TV - 1st oral evidence session completed this morning on FoI Reform Bill. Thank you 2 the 5 experts who gave evidence in support of Bill’s general principles @KatySClark
06.11.2025 14:42 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Event Katy Clark MSP FoI Reform Bill Roundtable on 06/11 Free Location: Committee Room 2, The Scottish Parliament, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Thursday 6 November at 6:00PM GMT
Tomorrow, Katy Clark MSP is going to hold a roundtable at the Scottish Parliament on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill. The discussion will focus on the future of FOI in Scotland as the FoI Reform Scotland Bill tabled by Katy Clark MSP makes its way through the Scottish Parliament. There will be an opportunity for participants to have their views heard and to ask questions to the panellists.
Speakers include: Katy Clark (Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland) David Hamilton (Scottish Information Commissioner) Carole Ewart (Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland) Catherine Russell (Care Home Relatives Scotland)
Registration is required. Email Robert Foster at robert.foster@parliament.scot to register for the event.
You're invited: Katy Clark MSP Katy Clark MSP to hold FoI Reform Bill Roundtable at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow!
Registration is required. Email Robert Foster at robert.foster@parliament.scot to register for the event.
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
👑 Privacy of The Royal Household 👑
One of the FOI Act's most fascinating provisions, section 37 governs the boundaries of public interest within Britain's most discrete institution.
If recent news has piqued your interest, see here for a refresher on where the law stands.
108 Published responses to the Stage 1 consultation on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond @KatySClark @ScottishTUC @NUJScotland yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
31.10.2025 17:11 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Trust, efficiency & investment are necessary to ensure the enforcement machinery of FoI law in Scotland is respected. We have the first 2 in place but remedial action is required by ScotParl on funding so the regulator's functions are consistently delivered. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558519...
31.10.2025 16:47 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Timely reminder of why passing the FoI Reform Bill matters to so many people in Scotland. @katysclark.bsky.social @unitescotland.bsky.social @cwuscotland.bsky.social @gabymckay.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2521506...
31.10.2025 16:05 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0The enforceable right to access information is a human right so it’s good news that Scotland’s independent regulator has reported a busy year ensuring rights and duties are respected, protected and fulfilled. @hrcscotland.bsky.social @thre-equal.bsky.social @scvo.scot @reidfoundation.bsky.social
30.10.2025 14:26 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Join the next #GIACESeminar:
Corruption in Paradise: Real Estate Money Laundering in Emerging Markets
📅 Nov 13 | 🕐 1–2 PM UK
🔗 Register: bit.ly/GIACEUSISemi...
This seminar explores what weak enforcement means for housing markets & why global AML rules fall short.
The Scottish Information Commissioner highlights record-breaking year in 2024-25 Annual Report
The Scottish Information Commissioner has reported on a very busy year, with a record-breaking 335 formal decisions issued. This is the highest number since the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act became operational twenty years ago.
CFoIS congratulates the Scottish Information Commissioner and his team for achieving this result in FoISA’s 20th anniversary year. This outcome highlights that positive results are only possible with enforceable and operational laws. When people’s cases are settled, this results in more information getting disclosed and therefore being available to the public. We hope that this result inspires others to apply to the Commissioner if they are struggling to get the information they seek disclosed.
Source: ‘Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25’ (Scottish Information Commissioner, October 2025)
The Scottish Information Commissioner has revealed a record-breaking year in the 2024-25 Annual Report!
Read the full report here: www.foi.scot/2024-25-annu...
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
FoISA Reform Bill Update In conjunction with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Free Location: Online 19 November at 1:00PM to 2:00PM GMT
CFoIS announces an update event on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill on progressing the Bill through Stage 1, held in conjunction with Human Rights Consortium Scotland.
Book a free ticket via Eventbrite now!
Join CFoIS and Human Rights Consortium for a FoISA Reform Bill Update Event on November the 19th.
Tickets are available to book via Eventbrite now: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759810012...
#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #event #foi
The @ecase.co.uk FOI Awards 2026 nominations are now open!
CFoIS encourages requestors who have had a positive experience of FOI to acknowledge the service they received with a nomination!
Read the criteria (ecasefoiawards.co.uk/categories/) and complete the nomination form by 30th November.
#FOI
People have questions and use FoI law to access official information and get answers. However Scotland’s 20 yrs old FoI law needs significantly strengthened so there is a Bill at the ScotParl to fix it. Today is the last day to give your views go to yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
22.10.2025 09:58 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
💻 NUJ to mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
A special event on 3 Nov, 5.30pm online. An opportunity to hear from an expert panel on journalist safety, honour fallen colleagues, and demand justice.
Register here:
Thanks to the SNP TU Group for hosting the CFOIS leaflets explaining our all party campaign in support of the FoI Reform Bill currently at Stage 1 in the ScotParl. An opportunity 4 Scotland 2 lead the way by voting 4 progressive legal reform. @snp.org @graemedey.bsky.social @nujscotland.bsky.social
11.10.2025 11:18 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
