Former UK information commissioner taking legal action against woman who flagged his conduct | Information commissioner
The UK information commissioner, who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, is understood to have taken legal action against a woman who flagged his behaviour.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she was “appalled” that John Edwards was preparing to submit legal documents about one of the “incredibly brave” women who raised concerns about his behavior at the ICO. Edwards resigned as Britain’s data regulator in June following an independent investigation.
Kendall told the science, innovation and technology select committee on Wednesday that she had seen “vulgar and highly sexualised language being used”. [Edwards’] interaction with staff”.
She said several women previously told investigators they felt “offended, shocked and uncomfortable” after interactions with Edwards. Chi Onwurah, chairman of the select committee, described the incident as a “very disturbing incident”.
The ICO is the UK’s independent regulator of data protection and information rights, with responsibility for overseeing freedom of information, electronic marketing and data security. It was stated that Edwards’ behavior was “unacceptable” and fell well short of the “safe, respectful working environment” that all staff deserved.
Of the woman against whom Edwards is said to have taken legal action, Kendall said: “By reporting her concerns, she supported the independent investigation which supported the numerous allegations made against her. So I reached out to them as best I could and told them they should know they would always be heard without putting them at personal risk. Frankly, I was appalled by this behaviour.”
The ICO said it could not comment for legal reasons.
Kendall also announced an independent review of the ICO’s culture, accountability and governance and said it would soon announce its majority-female non-executive board. He said he was “extremely concerned about this” [Edwards] “He continues to describe these events, including the social media post announcing his resignation, as misplaced humour.”
Edwards said on LinkedIn that he “acknowledged that there were occasions when I made poor judgment and attempted inappropriate and offensive humor.” Announcing his resignation, the ICO said: “We do not accept sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination of any kind.” Edwards has been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, Kendall said he would announce next week details of social media curfews for 16 and 17-year-olds, which start at midnight and end at 6am, expected to come into effect in early 2027, following a broader social media ban on people under 16. The measures are expected to require social media companies to impose curfews by default for users they understand to be 16 or 17 years old.
Other measures aimed at protecting children from the harms of social media could include requiring companies to default cutouts to infinite scrolling mechanisms in apps aimed at 16- and 17-year-olds.
Kendall acknowledged that some children will bypass government measures to restrict social media. “There will be children on these sites,” he said. “We know from Australia that when a ban is introduced, children will try to get around it and they will succeed… I think it’s probably more about future generations that we’re introducing the ban to change social norms and cultural expectations.”
Kendall also predicted that the next big challenge for the government, likely under Andy Burnham, will be tackling disinformation on social media and messaging services, citing the spread of disinformation online about the stabbing attack that triggered violence and anti-immigration protests in Belfast as an example.
He said he had asked Ofcom chief executive Ian Cheshire to carry out an urgent review of the media regulator “to see its capabilities, experience, skill, priorities, focus and whether what is available is fit for purpose”. He said Ofcom would report back in the autumn.
