FOI Request to the Cabinet Office re COBRA activation on 17th and 18th July 2003

On 16th May 2011 I wrote to the Cabinet Office making the following Freedom of Information Request.

The purpose of the request was to establish whether or not UK Government emergency procedures, often referred to coloquially as "COBRA", were activated on 17th or 18th July 2003.

ACC Michael Page of Thames Valley Police was "gold commander".

The possibility of a so-called "platinum command" at UK Government level existed (and exists).

The FOI Request was designed to attempt to find out if the COBRA procedure was activated in relation to the death of David Kelly.

This is a Freedom of Information request.

I understand the term "Cabinet Office Briefing Room" broadly to refer to procedures applicable to an emergency and/or crisis response by the UK Government. I ask that the following questions are interpreted using that broad definition.

1. Was a Cabinet Office Briefing Room procedure activated at any time between 14.30 on 17th July 2003 and 23.59 on 18th July 2003?

2. During the period described in question 1. was a Cabinet Office Briefing Room procedure activated with respect to the death of Dr. David Kelly?

3. Which individual was in charge of the COBRA response with respect to the disappearance and death of Dr. David Kelly?

4. Who was Platinum commander with respect to the disappearance and death of Dr. David Kelly?

5. At what time was that individual (or those individuals) referred to in questions 4. and 5. notified that Dr. David Kelly was missing?

6. At what time was that individual (or those individuals) referred to in questions 4. and 5. notified that a body had been found?

7. At any time during the period referred to in question 1 did anyone associated with a Cabinet Office Briefing Room procedure contact the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, regarding the disappearance and/or death of Dr. David Kelly?

8. At any time during the period referred to in question 1 did anyone associated with a Cabinet Office Briefing Room procedure contact the then Director of Communications and Strategy, Alastair Campbell, regarding the disappearance and/or death of Dr. David Kelly?

9. If a Cabinet Office Briefing Room was activated with respect to the disappearance and death of Dr. David Kelly, at what time did that happen and at what time was it deactivated?

Thank you

(Dr) Andrew Watt