http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19232
Friday 8 May 2009 Appointment of Information Commissioner
The Prime Minister, in a written Ministerial Statement today, announced that The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr Christopher Graham to the post of Information Commissioner with effect from 29 June 2009. Mr Graham will replace the current Information Commissioner, Mr Richard Thomas, who is retiring from the post.
Biographical notes
Mr Christopher Graham has been Director General of the Advertising Standards Authority since 2000. He is a Non-executive Lay Representative on the Bar Standards Board (since 2006) and Non-executive Director of Electoral Reform Services Ltd (since 2001).
Notes to editors
The Information Commissioner has responsibility for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. The functions of his office include promoting good practice, ruling on complaints under this legislation, providing information to individuals and organisations and taking appropriate enforcement action when necessary. The post of Information Commissioner comes within the scope of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and was identified as being suitable for pre-appointment scrutiny by parliament. Following an invitation from the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, the Justice Select Committee held a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing with Mr Graham, the preferred candidate, on 27 January 2009 and issued its report on 9 February, endorsing Mr Graham’s suitability. The Information Commissioner has independent status and reports directly to Parliament. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 as amended, the Information Commissioner can serve for a term of up to 5 years.
For more information members of the media should contact the Ministry of Justice News Desk on 020 33 34 35 36. Members of the public should call the Public Enquiry Line on 020 33 34 35 55.
Friday 8 May 2009 Appointment of Information Commissioner
The Prime Minister, in a written Ministerial Statement today, announced that The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr Christopher Graham to the post of Information Commissioner with effect from 29 June 2009. Mr Graham will replace the current Information Commissioner, Mr Richard Thomas, who is retiring from the post.
Biographical notes
Mr Christopher Graham has been Director General of the Advertising Standards Authority since 2000. He is a Non-executive Lay Representative on the Bar Standards Board (since 2006) and Non-executive Director of Electoral Reform Services Ltd (since 2001).
Notes to editors
The Information Commissioner has responsibility for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. The functions of his office include promoting good practice, ruling on complaints under this legislation, providing information to individuals and organisations and taking appropriate enforcement action when necessary. The post of Information Commissioner comes within the scope of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and was identified as being suitable for pre-appointment scrutiny by parliament. Following an invitation from the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, the Justice Select Committee held a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing with Mr Graham, the preferred candidate, on 27 January 2009 and issued its report on 9 February, endorsing Mr Graham’s suitability. The Information Commissioner has independent status and reports directly to Parliament. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 as amended, the Information Commissioner can serve for a term of up to 5 years.
For more information members of the media should contact the Ministry of Justice News Desk on 020 33 34 35 36. Members of the public should call the Public Enquiry Line on 020 33 34 35 55.
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