Messages passing between the former Cabinet Secretary and David Mellor

A. I. Clayton made this Freedom of Information request to Cabinet Office Automatic anti-spam measures are in place for this older request. Please let us know if a further response is expected or if you are having trouble responding.

Response to this request is long overdue. By law, under all circumstances, Cabinet Office should have responded by now (details). You can complain by requesting an internal review.

A. I. Clayton
Delivered

Dear Cabinet Office,

I am making this request in light of what I regard as a clear public interest requirement.

There is indication by Michelle Moan, on social media, that the former Cabinet Secretary, Michael Gove MP was in communication with David Mellor, via WhatsApp, during the Covid 19 pandemic - see this link, for info.
https://twitter.com/MichelleMone/status/...

Please provide any information, including copies where physically possible, relating to these alleged communications which are stored on or in Cabinet Office and/or Prime Minister's Office records (either electronic or manual records).

Yours faithfully,

A. I. Clayton

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Cabinet Office FOI Team,

Our ref: FOI2023/15254

Dear A. I. Clayton,

Thank you for your request for information which was received on 24th
December. Your request is being handled under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 ('the Act').

The Act requires that a response must be given promptly, and in any event
within 20 working days. We will therefore aim to reply at the latest by
25th January.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Team

Cabinet Office

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Cabinet Office FOI Team,

Our ref: FOI2023/15254

Dear A. I. Clayton,

I am writing with regards to your request for information under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000, which was received on 24th December.

We have given consideration to your request and have concluded that we
require further clarification as to what you are requesting before we are
able to proceed.

Please could you confirm if your request is in relation to "David Mellor"
or "David Meller", and whether you seek information about WhatsApp
communication specifically or all forms of communication?

As you may appreciate, a public authority has 20 working days in which to
respond to a request for information. The effect of a public authority
seeking clarity from a requester about their request is to 'stop the
clock' on that 20 working day deadline. It will not be started again until
we are supplied with the further information which we require. In the
event that we do not hear from you we will assume that you do not wish to
proceed with your request.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Team

Cabinet Office

Link to this Report