This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Electoral Commission written communications with Carole Cadwalladr'.

From:
FOI
To:
Subject:
FOI 008-19 EC staff correspondence - response
Date:
28 February 2019 11:21:52
Dear 
,
 
Our Ref: FOI 008-19

 
Thank you for your email to the Electoral Commission dated 15 January 2019.
 
The Commission aims to respond to requests for information promptly and regrets
it has done so within the statutory timeframe of twenty working days.
 
Your request is in bold below followed by our response.
 
1. Please outline whether the Electoral Commission has received or
undertaken correspondence from Carole Cadwalladr.
 
2. Please provide all correspondences with Carole Cadwalladr. You

subsequently clarified this to relate to between dates 24 June 2016 and 17
January 2019.
 
3. Regarding the Cameron Government’s use of public funds directly ahead

of a referendum in order to influence that referendum.
a. Please indicate whether the Electoral Commission has held advice on the
legality of that enterprise.
b. If it has, please provide all materials composed by the Electoral
Commission.
c. Please indicated whether and where this advice was delivered.
d. If the Electoral Commission hasn’t compiled this advice, why on earth
not?
 
4. Is the Electoral Commission’s chairman, who says he doesn’t like the

Leave campaigns and is sure it contained foreign meddling, still having
meetings with:
David Miliband
Mark Malloch Brown
Mark Sedwill
John Bercow
 
Our response is as follows:
 
We hold the information you have requested.
 
1. Please outline whether the Electoral Commission has received or

undertaken correspondence from Carole Cadwalladr.
 
The Commission does hold correspondence with Carole Cadwalladr.
 
We have not outlined the information identified. Under the terms of the FOIA 2000
a public authority is not required to create data in order to comply with the Act.

 
2. Please provide all correspondences with Carole Cadwalladr between 24

June 2016 and 17 January 2019.
 
We have previously disclosed correspondence with Carole Cadwalladr in
response to requests under the Act covering the period to 24 March 2018, which
you can find in these previous responses:
 
FOI 064/18
FOI 093/18
FOI 097/18
 
We have released correspondence not covered by those previous requests to you
via Objective Connect. Please find the steps below which details how to access
the information.
 
You will receive an ‘Invitation to Objective Connect Email Notification’ (sent to the
inbox of 
). This notification will contain a link to
enable you to start accessing your information. Please find below details on how
to access the specific area we have set up for your documents.
 
1. Click on the link in the email.
2. You will be prompted to set up your username and password. Your username
will be your email address, and your password can be whatever you like.
3. With your username and password, enter both details at the login screen and
click ‘login’.
4. You will now see your personal page, which will show the Share ‘FOI 008-19’.
5. By clicking on the name of the share, you will then find the folder ‘supporting
documentation’.
6. Within this folder you will find your documents. You may view any of these
documents by selecting it.
7. In addition you may download a copy to your personal computer by selecting
the ‘download’ option and then ‘save as’.
 
3. Regarding the Cameron Government’s use of public funds directly ahead
of a referendum in order to influence that referendum.
a. Please indicate whether the Electoral Commission has held advice on the
legality of that enterprise.
b. If it has, please provide all materials composed by the Electoral
Commission.
c. Please indicated whether and where this advice was delivered.
d. If the Electoral Commission hasn’t compiled this advice, why on earth
not?
 
The Commission has previously responded to requests for information of a similar
nature to this. We believe they adequately provide our response to your request.
You can view those responses at the two links below:
 
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/ data/assets/pdf file/0015/251700/FOI-
134-18-Redacted.pdf
 

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/251700/FOI-
134-18-Redacted.pdf
 
4. Is the Electoral Commission’s chairman, who says he doesn’t like the
Leave campaigns and is sure it contained foreign meddling, still having
meetings with:
David Miliband
Mark Malloch Brown
Mark Sedwill
John Bercow
 
We have advised you on a number of previous occasions that the work carried out
by Sir John Holmes, in his position as the Chair of the Electoral Commission is
published online.   
 
The meetings of the Chair are published here:
 
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-work/who-we-are/the-commissioners
 
Section 40(2): Personal Data:
 
You will notice that some details from the documents we are disclosing are
redacted.
Section 40(2) provides for an exemption where the information requested
constitutes personal data as defined by the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), and
where release of the information requested would breach one of the data
protection principles. The information contained in the requested information falls
within the description of personal data as defined by section 1 of the Data
Protection Act 2018 (DPA) because the information relates directly to an
identifiable living individual.
 
We have also relied upon section 40(2) in some instances in removing names and
contact details of junior staff within the Electoral Commission. This is because they
would not reasonably expect their information to be released.  
 
Section 21: Information accessible to the applicant by other means:
 
Section 21 provides for an exemption where the information is reasonable
accessible to the applicant by other means. You are able to access the information
requested under questions 3 and 4, and part of question 2, by visiting the
Commission website, via the links provided to you.
 
Section 21 of the FOIA is an absolute exemption and therefore does not require us
to consider whether or not it would be in the public interest for the information to
be released.
 
I trust that this information satisfies your request. The Commission strives to be an
open, transparent authority, but in some circumstances we cannot responsibly
release requested information, and we ask for your understanding in this regard.
If you are not satisfied with this response, please note that the Commission
operates a review procedure, details of which can be found on the Commission
website at: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/about-us/freedom-of-

information-requests/how-do-I-make-an-foi-request
Please also note that if you have exhausted all internal Commission review
procedures and you are still not satisfied you have the right to appeal to the
Information Commissioner. Details of this procedure can be found on the ICO
website: https://ico.org.uk/
 
Yours sincerely,
Access to Information Officer (FOI and DPA)
 
The Electoral Commission
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
electoralcommission.org.uk
 
 
 
 

From:
 on behalf of FOI
To:
"
Bcc:
FOI
Subject:
FOI 070/18 EC Correspondence with DC April 2018 Acknowledgement
Date:
30 April 2018 19:03:00
Dear Carole Cadwalladr,
Our Ref: FOI 070/18
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act dated 26 April
2018, concerning:
1) Any correspondence you've had with Dominic Cummings from
April 19-26, this year.
I understand (from him) that he has sent you evidence/explanation
of the deletions on the Vote Leave shared drive.
This is one email, I believe, and therefore it should be a matter of
minutes to find/recover, I would be grateful if were able to
expedite this request
The Commission aims to respond to requests for information promptly and within
the statutory timeframe of twenty working days.
You may expect to receive a reply sent from the Commission by 25 May 2018
Yours sincerely,
Information, Knowledge and Systems Manager
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
electoralcommission.org.uk
yourvotematters.co.uk
Twitter | Facebook | Blog

From:
FOI
To:
Subject:
FOI 075/18 SCL and Cambridge Analytica Correspondence Acknowledgement
Date:
14 May 2018 12:32:53
Dear Carole Cadwalladr,
Our Ref: FOI 075/18
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act dated 12 May
2018,  received by the Commission on 14 May 2018, concerning:
I'd like to request any communications you have that reference Cambridge
Analytica and/or SCL. This is to include communications with
directors/employees of:
- Cambridge Analytica/SCL
- AIQ
- Leave.EU
- Vote Leave
I'd also like to FOI any internal correspondence/documentation regarding
the company
The Commission aims to respond to requests for information promptly and within
the statutory timeframe of twenty working days.
You may expect to receive a reply sent from the Commission by Wednesday 06
June 2018.
Yours sincerely,
Information, Knowledge and Systems Manager
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
electoralcommission.org.uk
yourvotematters.co.uk
Twitter | Facebook | Blog

From:
FOI
To:
"
Subject:
FOI 164/18 - Correspondence between the EC and Police/NCA
Date:
26 October 2018 10:10:59
Dear Carole Cadwalladr,
Our Ref: FOI 164/18
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act dated 26
October 2018, concerning:
1.      Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, could I please
request any correspondence between the Commission and the Metropolitan
Police/NCA regarding offences that may have been committed during the EU
referendum? This should include, but not be limited to, the period from May
to the present day.
The Commission aims to respond to requests for information promptly and within
the statutory timeframe of twenty working days.
You may expect to receive a reply sent from the Commission by 21 November
2018.
Yours sincerely,
Access to Information Officer (FOI and DPA)
The Electoral Commission
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
electoralcommission.org.uk

From:
To:
FOI
Subject:
FOI request
Date:
26 April 2018 16:53:22
Dear sir/madam,
In the interests of openness and transparency and the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 2000,
could you kindly provide me with details of:
1) Any correspondence you've had with Dominic Cummings from April 19-26, this year.
I understand (from him) that he has sent you evidence/explanation of the deletions on the
Vote Leave shared drive.
This is one email, I believe, and therefore it should be a matter of minutes to find/recover, I
would be grateful if were able to expedite this request.
Many thanks, Carole
This e-mail and all attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the named
recipient, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all attachments immediately. Do not
disclose the contents to another person. You may not use the information for any purpose, or store,
or copy, it in any way. Guardian News & Media Limited is not liable for any computer viruses or other
material transmitted with or as part of this e-mail. You should employ virus checking software.
Guardian News & Media Limited is a member of Guardian Media Group plc. Registered Office: PO
Box 68164, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1P 2AP. Registered in England Number 908396

From:
To:
Subject:
FW: Press inquiry: urgent
Date:
16 April 2018 09:44:04
Hi Carole, my colleague 
 sent an email on Friday night and also
sent it again on Saturday afternoon (see below). Hope the information is helpful.
Kind regards
From: 
 
Sent: 14 April 2018 12:23
To: Carole Cadwalladr
Subject: Re: Press inquiry: urgent
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your query.
On polling day for elections or referendums since the Scottish independence referendum in
2014, Facebook ran their ‘I’m a voter’ button initiative. On these occasions, Facebook
asked for our consent to include a link to our neutral voter information website, as the best
source of reliable information for voters on polling day. This website (which you can see at
www.yourvotematters.co.uk) provides information and advice to voters including on how
to cast their vote, how to find their polling station and how to contact the elections team at
their local council.
The Commission welcomes the efforts of any organisation which directs people to accurate
information about voting, so we were pleased to give our consent for this link, although
consent was of course not required as this is a free-to-access public website. Advance
notice of the initiative also enabled us to prepare for the potential increase in traffic to our
website, so we could ensure a continuity of service for visitors to the site.
We welcome the support of a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations in
promoting voter registration and adding value to our own campaign activity; we provide
resources for organisations to use and coordinate this through our Roll Call newsletter,
which has over 1500 subscribers from local authorities, NGOs and other organisations.
You can see that here.
Regards
From: Carole Cadwalladr 
Sent: 13 April 2018 17:14:51
To: Press
Subject: Press inquiry: urgent
Hi there,
Facebook says that discussed with the electoral commission the implementation of their
'voter megaphone' and said that it had worked with you on its implementation.
This is the feature that reminds Facebook users to vote on election day. It was used in the
2015 and 2017 general elections and for the referendum.
Is that right? Can you tell me more what these discussions involved?
Do you understand who they showed the button to? Did you have any concerns about
whether it might skew the vote in any way? What did Facebook tell you?
I am on deadline for tomorrow so I would appreciate a reply tonight if possible.

Can you please acknowledge receipt of this inquiry.
Many thanks, Carole
This e-mail and all attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you
are not the named recipient, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all
attachments immediately. Do not disclose the contents to another person. You
may not use the information for any purpose, or store, or copy, it in any way.
Guardian News & Media Limited is not liable for any computer viruses or other
material transmitted with or as part of this e-mail. You should employ virus
checking software.
Guardian News & Media Limited is a member of Guardian Media Group plc. Registered Office: PO
Box 68164, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1P 2AP. Registered in England Number 908396



Access to Information Officer (FOI & DPA)
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
electoralcommission.org.uk
yourvotematters.co.uk
Twitter | Facebook | Blog

From:
FOI
To:
Subject:
RE: FOI 070/18 EC Correspondence with DC April 2018 Acknowledgement
Date:
30 April 2018 19:22:00
Hi Carole,
Thank you for the further information I will pass it on to the team who are dealing
with your request.
Kind regards,
From: Carole Cadwalladr 
Sent: 30 April 2018 19:19
To: FOI 
Subject: Re: FOI 070/18 EC Correspondence with DC April 2018 Acknowledgement
Hi 
,
Thanks very much for this.
I've had updated information that the correspondence is not from Dominic Cummings but
from Matthew Elliott/Vote Leave/Vote Leave's lawyers.
It concerns the evidence published in the Observer about deletions on a shared Google
drive.
Thanks very much, Carole
On 30 April 2018 at 19:03, FOI <xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
> wrote:
Dear Carole Cadwalladr,
Our Ref: FOI 070/18
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act dated 26 April
2018, concerning:
1) Any correspondence you've had with Dominic Cummings from April 19-
26, this year.
I understand (from him) that he has sent you evidence/explanation of the
deletions on the Vote Leave shared drive.
This is one email, I believe, and therefore it should be a matter of minutes
to find/recover, I would be grateful if were able to expedite this request
The Commission aims to respond to requests for information promptly and
within the statutory timeframe of twenty working days.
You may expect to receive a reply sent from the Commission by 25 May 2018
Yours sincerely,
Information, Knowledge and Systems Manager
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ 
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
electoralcommission.org.uk
yourvotematters.co.uk
Twitter | Facebook | Blog
This e-mail and all attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you
are not the named recipient, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all
attachments immediately. Do not disclose the contents to another person. You
may not use the information for any purpose, or store, or copy, it in any way.

Guardian News & Media Limited is not liable for any computer viruses or other
material transmitted with or as part of this e-mail. You should employ virus
checking software.
Guardian News & Media Limited is a member of Guardian Media Group plc. Registered Office: PO
Box 68164, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1P 2AP. Registered in England Number 908396

From:
Carole Cadwalladr
To:
Subject:
Re: Press inquiry: urgent
Date:
16 April 2018 09:34:44
Hi 
Can I get a response today?
Thanks, Carole
On 13 April 2018 at 17:19, 
 wrote:
Hi Carole, I acknowledge receipt of your inquiry and shall liaise with colleagues before a
response is provided.
Kind regards
From: Carole Cadwalladr 
 
Sent: 13 April 2018 17:15
To: Press
Subject: Press inquiry: urgent
Hi there,
Facebook says that discussed with the electoral commission the implementation of their
'voter megaphone' and said that it had worked with you on its implementation.
This is the feature that reminds Facebook users to vote on election day. It was used in the
2015 and 2017 general elections and for the referendum.
Is that right? Can you tell me more what these discussions involved?
Do you understand who they showed the button to? Did you have any concerns about
whether it might skew the vote in any way? What did Facebook tell you?
I am on deadline for tomorrow so I would appreciate a reply tonight if possible.
Can you please acknowledge receipt of this inquiry.
Many thanks, Carole
This e-mail and all attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are
not the named recipient, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all
attachments immediately. Do not disclose the contents to another person. You may not
use the information for any purpose, or store, or copy, it in any way. Guardian News &
Media Limited is not liable for any computer viruses or other material transmitted with
or as part of this e-mail. You should employ virus checking software.
Guardian News & Media Limited is a member of Guardian Media Group plc. Registered Office: PO Box
68164, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1P 2AP. Registered in England Number 908396

This e-mail and all attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the named
recipient, please notify the sender and delete the e-mail and all attachments immediately. Do not
disclose the contents to another person. You may not use the information for any purpose, or store,
or copy, it in any way. Guardian News & Media Limited is not liable for any computer viruses or other
material transmitted with or as part of this e-mail. You should employ virus checking software.
Guardian News & Media Limited is a member of Guardian Media Group plc. Registered Office: PO
Box 68164, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1P 2AP. Registered in England Number 908396