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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| ASA boss set to be data watchdog | ASA boss set to be data watchdog |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Advertising Standards Authority boss Christopher Graham is in line to take over as information commissioner. | Advertising Standards Authority boss Christopher Graham is in line to take over as information commissioner. |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw has recommended him to replace Richard Thomas, who retires on 30 June. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw has recommended him to replace Richard Thomas, who retires on 30 June. |
| The appointment has to be vetted by the Commons justice committee but Mr Graham said he was keen to take on the task. | The appointment has to be vetted by the Commons justice committee but Mr Graham said he was keen to take on the task. |
| Mr Thomas has dealt with issues ranging from MPs' expenses to Whitehall data security in his six years as information commissioner. | Mr Thomas has dealt with issues ranging from MPs' expenses to Whitehall data security in his six years as information commissioner. |
| Former BBC journalist Mr Graham has been director general of the ASA since April 2000. | Former BBC journalist Mr Graham has been director general of the ASA since April 2000. |
| New challenge | New challenge |
| Mr Graham, 58 said it had been "one of the best jobs in the world" but it was time for someone else to take it forward. | Mr Graham, 58 said it had been "one of the best jobs in the world" but it was time for someone else to take it forward. |
| "Meanwhile the information commissioner is so much at the centre of debates on information security, privacy, better government and the right to know that I am keen to take on this new challenge," he said. | "Meanwhile the information commissioner is so much at the centre of debates on information security, privacy, better government and the right to know that I am keen to take on this new challenge," he said. |
| Mr Thomas has been information commissioner since November 2002 and has a range of responsibilities, including ruling on Freedom of Information cases. | Mr Thomas has been information commissioner since November 2002 and has a range of responsibilities, including ruling on Freedom of Information cases. |
| He has also had to respond to several high-profile data security lapses - including the loss of two computers discs containing personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16. | He has also had to respond to several high-profile data security lapses - including the loss of two computers discs containing personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16. |
| He has also warned that fears Britain would "sleep walk into a surveillance society" had become a reality. | He has also warned that fears Britain would "sleep walk into a surveillance society" had become a reality. |
| Mr Thomas will give evidence on changes to the role of information commissioner to the justice committee later on Tuesday. | Mr Thomas will give evidence on changes to the role of information commissioner to the justice committee later on Tuesday. |