Copies of all receipts for expense claims for hotel and rent from Selaine Saxby MP

I can confirm that we hold information relevant to your request. Please see the accompanying zipped folder.

Some information has been redacted in accordance with IPSA’s publication policy. Other information is subject to a Refusal Notice under sections 38, 40(2) and 40(3A)(a) of the FOIA. These exemptions have been applied to information concerning the identity of hotels and landlord, and information classed as personal data under data protection law.

Section 38(1)(b) health safety

This exemption applies where the disclosure of information would, or would be likely to, endanger the safety of any individual. IPSA relies on this exemption to withhold details which directly or indirectly identifies the hotel or accommodation used by the MP. The hotel chain in question is often used by MPs when they are required to stay in London overnight. IPSA therefore maintains that, were the details to be disclosed, there is a high likelihood of the personal safety of Ms Saxby and other MPs being put in danger. This exemption is subject to the public interest test.

Following the Westminster Bridge attack in London in 2017, IPSA agreed that it would no longer publish any details regarding MPs’ travel arrangements because they could potentially put at risk the safety of MPs and their families. IPSA considers that the threat to MPs has not changed and, in the light of the current pandemic, the likelihood of threat to personal safety could be said to have increased in particular for those MPs who are in the public eye.

IPSA, therefore, maintains that the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

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 General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (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 maintains that the banking details fall within this definition and that there is no lawful basis under Article 6 of the GDPR, on which it can rely for disclosure and that this would breach one of the principles for the processing of personal data under Article 5(1)(a) of the GDPR. IPSA also believes that disclosure of this information would not add anything to the understanding of the information which has been disclosed, and therefore the exemption applies.

Further information about these exemptions is available from the Information Commissioner’s website.