The government is still refusing to publish a report into accusations of bullying by a Minister - despite accepting there is a public interest in releasing the document.

Last month Isle of Man Newspapers made a Freedom of Information request to release the report into accusations against Education Minister Graham Cregeen.

This was rejected by the Cabinet Office. So we appealed against that decision.

Now following a review by the Cabinet Office, this too has been rejected due to ’personal data’ in the report.

The National Association of Head Teachers had accused Mr Cregeen of ’institutional bullying’. He has been cleared by an investigation.

But the inquiry into the Minister’s conduct did conclude he made some ’errors of judgement’ and ’demonstrated a lack of awareness of the sensitivities of others’.

Our appeal focused on it being of overwhelming public interest to release the report given Mr Cregeen’s post as a government minister in charge of the island’s schools.

The rejection letter admitted: ’It is accepted that there is a legitimate interest in the release of the report into allegations of bullying by a minister. However, it is argued that the legitimate interest can be served without the release of third party personal data.

’Since the response to the FoI request was provided, the Cabinet Office has released information regarding the basis for, and the outcome of the investigation that has been reported by the local media.’

But no details have been released on what ’errors of judgement’ were made by the Minister.

The Cabinet Office, which has the report that has cleared Mr Cregeen of bullying, has applied an ’absolute exemption’ afforded by the Freedom of Information Act as the report constitutes personal data.

In its rejection letter, the Cabinet Office said that section 25 of the Act provides ’absolute exempt personal information’ which means that ’the public authority does not have to consider whether disclosure of the information would be in the public interest’.

It goes on to state: ’A disclosure under Freedom of Information is considered a disclosure to the world; and in releasing the report requested the Cabinet Office would be disclosing the personal data of numerous data subjects to the world without restriction on its use and publication.

’Personal data is defined in Article 4 of the applied GDPR as any information that can directly or indirectly identify a living individual. Personal data for the purpose of the applied GDPR may include subjective information such as opinions or judgements.

’Accordingly, the Cabinet Office exercises extreme caution in the release of personal data and will only do so if it is in accordance with relevant legislation and in this case, the applied GDPR.’

We intend to appeal the decision to the Information Commissioner, suggesting the report can be released with some third party personal data redacted.

The NAHT is seeking a review of the bullying inquiry outcome.

This was rejected by the Cabinet Office. So we appealed against that decision.

Now following a review by the Cabinet Office, this too has been rejected due to ’personal data’ in the report.