More details about a claim by Robert Largan, MP

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

In terms of the services provided, the information held by IPSA is little different to that which is published on the website.

The service is for the role of Parliamentary Advisor providing the following:

• Media handling and communications advice

• Parliamentary liaison and advice

• Parliamentary HR advice

The name of the individual/company providing the service is subject to a Refusal Notice under sections 40(2) and 40(3A)(a) of the FOIA.

This is also in accordance with Section C of IPSA’s Publication Policy.

The 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):

"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 considers that the name of the individual operating as a sole trader is personal data.

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.