The Financial Times (here) and Guardian (here) have reported on a challenge concerning the release of the Ministry of Defence’s Targeting Policy (Joint Services Publication 900: UK Targeting Policy).
Ceri Gibbons, a campaigner, supported by the human rights organisation Reprieve, appealed against an Information Commissioner’s decision which upheld the MoD’s reliance on s.23 (Security Body) and s.26 (Defence) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The MoD had released a related publication on the use of embedded personnel (CDS Operational Directive 02/16 to UK Personnel Embedded within Other Nations Forces) and a redacted version of the Targeting Policy but argued that further disclosure would, in particular, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of UK armed forces.
Julian Blake appeared for the MoD and Rupert Paines acted for the Information Commissioner.
