Messages deemed irrelevant can be handed back without being disclosed to third parties, judges say
They described the terms of reference for the inquiry as “very wide” and suggested that Ms Hallett’s team should be allow to “fish” for documents with an “informed but speculative request”.
A deadline of 4pm on Monday, July 10th, was set by Ms Hallett for the cabinet office to hand over the unredacted batch of documents, which were initially requested on April 28th. Lawyers for the cabinet office argued during the one-day evidence hearing last Friday that Ms Hallett’s request was “so broad” that it was “bound to catch” a large amount of material “unconnected” to Covid. Examples cited included WhatsApp messages held by a No 10 aide, Henry Cook, about one country invading another, and the trial of foreign nationals.
But government insiders still fear a precedent has been set that could lead to further demands for messages from serving ministers. They said the judges had acknowledged that the judicial review was “valid as it raised issues ... that have now been clarified”, and called the judgment “a sensible resolution” that would allow Ms Hallett to see information she deemed relevant but still respect “the privacy of individuals”.
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