LONDON — The head of the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has voluntarily stepped aside from official duties pending an HR investigation.
In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, Information Commissioner John Edwards wrote: “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,” Edwards said.
The post was issued after POLITICO made enquiries to the ICO on Friday regarding Edwards’ work absence.
In a separate statement, the ICO said Edwards voluntarily stepped back from his duties on Feb. 26 in order “to enable an independent workplace investigation which relates to him. This investigation will produce a report with recommendations for DSIT to decide next steps,” the agency said, referring to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
“To protect all parties involved and maintain the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to provide further details at this stage,” the ICO said in its statement. “The board, chief executive Paul Arnold and executive team continue to lead the ICO, aligned to the scheme of delegation, to ensure continuity in our leadership and regulatory work.”
Edwards has helmed the U.K.’s independent data protection regulator since 2021 and was expected to step down from the role later this year as part of a wider restructure of the regulator under the Data (Use and Access) Act. He previously served as New Zealand Privacy Commissioner from 2014 to 2021.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
