The so called "booze cruise"
Dear East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust,
I have read with interest and concern how a Paul Leaman (assistant chief of your Trust) previously took a service vehicle to the continent to purchase alcohol. He seems to have eventually been suspended by his professional body for this and other matters.
Before he retires next month, can you tell me the names of all the other people who went with him on the same trip and whether this was a one off?
Do any of them still work for you apart from Mr Leaman?
I can't see why the Trust would refuse to name all those who took part as some of this is already widely in the public domain.
Yours faithfully,
J Lowe
Dear J Lowe
Thank you for your email dated 17th September 2014 where you requested information regarding the East of England Ambulance Service.
Your request will be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and we will respond to you within twenty working days. Your request has been allocated the following reference: F18536 and I would be grateful if you could quote this reference in any future correspondence with the Trust.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Dear J Lowe
Further to your email dated 17th September 2014, please find the Trust's response below.
Can you tell me the names of all the other people who went with him on the same trip and whether this was a one off?
The Trust can only release the names of those employed by the Trust at the time, as reported in the press these were Paul Leaman and Richard Lane, and such an incident occurred only once.
Do any of them still work for you apart from Mr Leaman?
No
I am obliged to advise you that if you are dissatisfied with the Trust’s response to your request you have a right to complain to the Trust and should set out your concerns to the Freedom of Information Officer, EEAST, Hospital Approach, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7WS or by email to [East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust request email]. If you remain dissatisfied following this, you have a right under Section 50 of the FOIA to seek a determination from the Information Commissioner on whether the Act has been properly applied by the Trust. For more information, please see www.ico.gov.uk.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.
Kind regards
FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Dear East of England Ambulance Service
It seems from your reply there might have been more than the two named members of staff on this trip and this action was later severely criticised.
Can you tell me under which exemption you are refusing to name the others involved when some names are already very much in the public domain?
Yours sincerely,
J Lowe
Dear J Lowe
Thank you for your email.
The Trust has applied s.40 to this information, as this is personal sensitive information. The disclosure of such information could have a negative impact on those concerned and as such would be a breach of their rights under Data Protection. As such a length of time has passed since the incident - over 10 years - the Trust feels that disclosure of the names is not in the public interest. These individuals were not publicly named at the time and the Trust sees no reason to name them now.
Kind regards
FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Dear East of England Ambulance Service
I assume you mean it would have a "negative impact on those concerned" because it would show they took part in something that was deemed highly inappropriate and a misuse of public money? Hopefully they aren't up to similar things elsewhere in the NHS.
The foi act is not supposed to be about protecting those who have done wrong.
Your Trust really does seem to always want to close ranks to protect its own. That seems quite shameful really. Maybe someone else should take over its running and that of your "freedom of information" dept.
Yours sincerely,
J Lowe
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