American Secret Service Authorisation
Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),
Please can you confirm what authorisation the American Secret Service (or any other body associated with the Presidential visit) has in regards to driving under emergency conditions (blue lights and/or sirens, breaking road traffic laws etc) on UK roads?
Have all drivers been checked for a blue light driving qualification?
Have all vehicles been checked to ensure they meet UK regulations?
Yours faithfully,
Tom
Dear Tom
Freedom of Information Request Reference No:2018070000447
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 12/07/2018. I note you seek access
to the following information:
"Please can you confirm what authorisation the American Secret Service (or
any other body associated with the Presidential visit) has in regards to
driving under emergency conditions (blue lights and/or sirens, breaking
road traffic laws etc) on UK roads?
Have all drivers been checked for a blue light driving qualification?
Have all vehicles been checked to ensure they meet UK regulations?"
DECISION
I have decided that, in accordance with Section 8 of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act), your enquiry is not considered a valid
request.
REASON FOR DECISION
A request under the Act is required by statute to include your name and an
address for correspondence. As you have not provided your full name, I
have decided that the requirement outlined by Section 8(1)(b) has not been
met.
NB: Please see the below guidance and examples of valid names under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act):
According to ICO guidance:
The use of the phrase "the name of the applicant" in section 8(1)(b)
indicates that the real name of the applicant should be used when
requesting information and not any other name, for example, a pseudonym.
Although one of the underlying principles of the FOIA is that the identity
of the applicant is not taken into account, it can be relevant in certain
circumstances. For example, when:
a public authority has good reason to believe a requester is using a
pseudonym to shield his/her identity in order to avoid the possibility of
the request being considered as vexatious or repeated;
Therefore, we are of the view that it was the intention of the legislation
that an applicant should provide their real name so that the request can
be processed in accordance with the requirements of the FOIA.
The definition of "applicant" in section 84 of the FOIA adds weight to
this as the phrase in section 8(1)(b) should be read as " the name of the
person making the request". This also suggests that the use of a false or
fictitious name is not acceptable. Therefore, where a public authority
receives a request from a person using an obvious pseudonym, there is no
obligation to comply with the request; nor would it fall within the
jurisdiction of the Information Commissioner. If a public authority
chooses not to comply with the request it should, in keeping with its duty
under section 16, advise the applicant that the FOIA requires their real
name to be provided.
What constitutes a real name?
We consider that a relatively informal approach is also appropriate in
this context. Therefore, title and/or first name with surname satisfies
the requirement for provision of a real name, as does the use by a female
applicant of her maiden name. The prime consideration is whether enough of
a person's full name has been provided to give a reasonable indication of
that person's identity.
Example:
Mr Arthur Thomas Roberts could satisfy section 8(1)(b) of the FOIA by
stating his name in a request for information as "Arthur Roberts", "A. T.
Roberts", or "Mr Roberts", but not by stating his name as "Arthur" or
"A.T.R."
In the case of a company, it is not necessary to provide the full
registered name. It will be acceptable to provide another name which
exists as a real entity, such as a trading name. Similarly, a sole trader
could provide his or her real name or trading name.
In most cases, it will be reasonable for a real name to comprise a name by
which the person making the request is widely known and/or is regularly
used by that person and which is not an obvious pseudonym or fictitious
name.
In order for the MPS to proceed with your request you are required to
provide the information outlined above. If for any reason you are unable
to do so, please contact me for assistance or seek assistance from any
other available source.
We will consider your resubmitted request upon receipt as long as it meets
the requirements stated above. You will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact us at [email address] quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Roz Loizou
Support Officer - Freedom of Information Triage Team
LEGAL ANNEX
Section 8(1) of the Act provides:
(1) In this Act any reference to a "request for information" is a
reference to such a request which-
(a) is in writing,
(b) states the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence,
and
(c) describes the information requested.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a request is to be
treated as made in writing where the text of the request-
(a) is transmitted by electronic means,
(b) is received in legible form, and
(c) is capable of being used for subsequent reference.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.
Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk. Alternatively, write to or
phone:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
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Dear Mr Henson
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2018070000978
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/07/2018. I note you seek
access to the following information:
"Please can you confirm what authorisation the American Secret Service (or
any other body associated with the Presidential visit) has in regards to
driving under emergency conditions (blue lights and/or sirens, breaking
road traffic laws etc) on UK roads?
Have all drivers been checked for a blue light driving qualification?
Have all vehicles been checked to ensure they meet UK regulations? "
Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act.
If you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please contact
us at [email address] or on the phone at 0207 161 3500, quoting the
reference number above. Should your enquiry relate to the logging or
allocations process we will be able to assist you directly and where your
enquiry relates to other matters (such as the status of the request) we
will be able to pass on a message and/or advise you of the relevant
contact details.
Yours sincerely
R. Loizou
Support Officer - Freedom of Information Triage Team
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.
Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk. Alternatively, write to or
phone:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: [1]https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
References
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1. https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Dear Mr Henson
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2018070000978
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/07/2018.
I am sorry that you have not received a suitable response within the 20
working days stipulated by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act).
The MPS have received a high number of FOI requests and often these
matters can be complex, involving input from various units across the MPS
and, due to our national remit in some areas, other police forces/partner
organisations.
Unfortunately with the current demands placed on the MPS we have been
unable to respond to requests as quickly as we would have hoped. We
appreciate that many of our requestors have their own deadlines to adhere
to whether that be an article to write, an essay to complete or research
for a publication and we apologies for any inconvenience this delay has
caused.
Your request is currently sitting with management for sign-off. I will
respond to you as soon as possible.
I would like to thank you for your patience in awaiting my response.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of
complaint.
Yours sincerely
Ian Burgess
Information Manager
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.
Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk. Alternatively, phone or
write to:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 745
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: [1]https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
References
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Dear Mr Henson
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2018070000978
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/07/2018.
Please find attached to this email, the MPS response for the requested
information.
Yours sincerely
Ian Burgess
Information Manager
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: [1]https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
References
Visible links
1. https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Dear Mr Henson
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2018070000978
I write in response to your request for information that was received by
the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/07/2018.
I apologise for the delay in responding to your request and any
inconvenience caused as the MPS have received a high number of FOI
requests and often these matters can be complex, involving input from
various units across the MPS and, due to our national remit in some areas,
other police forces / partner organisations.
I note that you seek access to the following information:
YOUR REQUEST
"Please can you confirm what authorisation the American Secret Service (or
any other body associated with the Presidential visit) has in regards to
driving under emergency conditions (blue lights and/or sirens, breaking
road traffic laws etc) on UK roads?
Have all drivers been checked for a blue light driving qualification?
Have all vehicles been checked to ensure they meet UK regulations?"
SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted
within the MPS Specialist Crime and Operations Command Unit.
DECISION
I have disclosed the located information for you:
1. Please can you confirm what authorisation the American Secret Service
(or any other body associated with the Presidential visit) has in regards
to driving under emergency conditions (blue lights and/or sirens, breaking
road traffic laws etc) on UK roads?
Under emergency as in normal conditions, drivers of vehicles being
escorted are responding to the directions of the UK police officers on
bikes. The warning lights are only that, warning lights. It is the
direction of the UK police officers on bikes which gives the driver (any
driver, US or otherwise), the authorisation to not comply with traiffic
signals / signs.
US vehicles being driven without a police escort and contravene the Road
Traffic Act, would be committing an offence, unless they are being
directed as part of the wider security operation.
All drivers taking part in a police escort are briefed on the escorting
rules by the Special Escort Group (SEG) team leader at the start of the
operation.
2. Have all drivers been checked for a blue light driving qualification?
Drivers are routinely checked. All drivers hold a valid US driving
licences allowing them to drive on UK roads, under escort or not.
3. Have all vehicles been checked to ensure they meet UK regulations?
Vehicles are routinely check to ensure they meet UK regulations.
INFORMATION
Vehicles considered roadworthy in the US and comply with US regulations,
will normally be considered to comply with UK regulations. As in the case
of, if you drive on the continent and your car has a valid MOT, then you
can drive it in France without having to have the equivalent French MOT
type test carried out.
This notice concludes your request for information.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me on 0207 161 3313 or via email at [email address],
quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Ian Burgess
Information Manager
In complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information, the
Metropolitan Police Service will not breach the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the
enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications
for the copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the
attached information should be addressed to MPS Directorate of Legal
Services, 10 Lambs Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NR.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.
Complaints should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk. Alternatively, write to or
phone:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: [1]https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
References
Visible links
1. https://m.facebook.com/metpoliceuk
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