Ref No.: 05 25
Request Type: FOI
Date Received: 25/02/25
Date Responded: 07/03/25
Category: KC Retainer
Request
- The results of all investigation work on this issue, including full details on the retainer and commissioned services used by WICS between 2018 and 2024. This would include full details of what was purchased, when, how much it cost and for what purpose for each of the commissioned services.
- Please can you state where the retained KC was located (town or city, not full address).
Response
Many thanks for your request for information dated 25 February 2025 which asked for:
- The results of all investigation work on this issue, including full details on the retainer and commissioned services used by WICS between 2018 and 2024. This would include full details of what was purchased, when, how much it cost and for what purpose for each of the commissioned services.
- Please can you state where the retained KC was located (town or city, not full address).
We have handled your request in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). FOISA provides for a right of access to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities.
In relation to part 1 of your request, we are unable to fully provide what is being requested because some of the information is not held, for example detailed information on each of the commissioned services used. Section 17 of FOISA states that where public authorities receive requests for information that they do not hold, they must issue a notice advising that they do not hold the requested information.
We are however able to share the result of our investigation into past expenditures on the retainer and commissioned services – please find this information attached.
In relation to part 2 of your request, we can confirm that the retained KC was located in London.
In addition, we are able to direct you towards information relevant to your request, which is already in the public domain, please find links below:
- Evidence submitted by WICS to the Public Audit Committee (PAC) on 6 November 2025
- WICS Annual Audit report 2023-24
- Recordings of meetings held at the PAC this year whereby the KC retainer was discussed
If you are unhappy with this response to your request, you may ask us to carry out a review by contacting us. Your request for review should explain why you are dissatisfied and should be made within 40 working days of receipt of this response. The review will be undertaken by staff not involved in the original process and we will reply within 20 working days of receipt.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) and thereafter to the Court of Session on a point of law only. The SIC can be contacted using the details below:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road
St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Web: www.foi.scot