Public authority under FOIA and the EIR. Escalation: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), referred by an MP. Court: Administrative Court (judicial review). Correspondence: 5 emails (1 sent, 4 received).
I followed up on internal review IR/26/16, noting a Welsh Government refusal of a related request (ATISN 27589) on 19 October 2026, and asked which files the original 22 September reply meant, what systems were searched, and for preservation of any records while the review and any Information Commissioner complaint remain open.
“confirm that any records within scope are preserved while the review and any complaint to the Information Commissioner remain open”
The Wales Office confirms receipt of the preservation notice but explains it cannot be processed as a freedom of information request under section 8(1) since it does not ask for recorded information, and invites a specific follow-up request.
“it is not being processed as a request for information”
The department acknowledges the internal review request under reference 26FOI 103 and states it will provide an outcome by 26 October 2026, with further appeal rights to the Information Commissioner if unresolved.
We send our formal response to FOI request 26FOI 103, indicating the Wales Office does not hold the requested records and pointing to the Welsh Government for any transferred files.
“Please see the attached response in respect of your FOI request to the Wales Office”
