You know that the act sets out deadlines. You know that four or five months is a very long time. Did you tell your client that the process was taking a long time? You work with the act, you must respect it. Of course, the act is not binding. I understand that. Nevertheless, it sets out deadlines.
Did you warn your client that the deadlines had already been exceeded, and that after four months, the Information Commissioner might start to ask questions? It was your responsibility to tell your client that it was taking too much time.