Chair comments on delay to appointment of Information Commissioner
19 July 2021
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair Julian Knight has issued the following comment in response to a further delay to a pre-appointment hearing for the new Information Commissioner.
DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:
“We are disappointed that yet again the Government is unable to go ahead with an appointment to a crucial oversight role, the second time in as many months. This time, Ministers have failed to provide a preferred candidate to become the next Information Commissioner. This comes after a decision to re-run the appointments process for the next Chair of Ofcom.
“Both appointments are critical - Ofcom as the future regulator in the draft Online Safety Bill, the ICO with its ongoing responsibilities on data collection, including the high profile investigation into an alleged data breach that led to the resignation of Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The Parliamentary recess means further unnecessary delay, with September the earliest an appointment can be confirmed.
“We understand that despite processes running well, delays centre on Number 10. This mishandling calls into question decision-making at the top of Government.”
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