Five days ago, the Information Commissioner, John Edwards, posted on LinkedIn:
“Colleagues and friends!👋🏻 I wanted to let you know that for the last few weeks I have voluntarily stepped aside from my duties at the ICO while an independent investigation into HR matters is undertaken. I am fully cooperating and engaged with the investigation and will report progress in due course.”
Paul Arnold, CEO of the new (but not yet functioning) Information Commission, has assumed the role of Acting Information Commissioner.
Edwards announcement has come as a surprise to ICO watchers. It was only issued after a POLITICO journalist made enquiries to the ICO regarding Edwards’ work absence. Until then there was silence; not what you would expect from a statutory regulator in the area of, amongst other things, openness and transparency.
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