Summary: Mrs X says the Council released her personal information identifying her to third parties. She says she had to leave home and suffered harassment because of the Council’s actions. She would like an apology and the responsible officers dismissed. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because the Information Commissioner is better placed to investigate. And, we cannot achieve Mrs X’s requested outcome.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about the Council breaching the Data Protection Act by disclosing her personal information to third parties. She says she was forced to leave home, change her children’s school and suffered abuse.
2. Mrs X would like an apology from the Council and the officers responsible to be sacked.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide:

• there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.
• We cannot achieve the outcome someone wants. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We will not investigate as the Information Commissioner is the most suitable body to consider if the Council breached the Data Protection Act 2018 in this case.
7. Further we cannot achieve the outcome requested. We have no powers to sack Council officers.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the Information Commissioner is better placed to consider.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman