In a separate statement, the ICO said Edwards voluntarily resigned from his job on February 26 to “facilitate an independent workplace investigation that relates to him. This investigation will produce a report and recommendations to the DSIT to determine next steps,” the agency said, referring to the Department of 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 a statement. “The board, chief executive Paul Arnold and the executive team continue to lead the ICO, in line with the representation plan, to ensure continuity in our governance and regulatory work.”
Edwards has helped the UK’s independent data protection regulator since 2021 and was expected to step down from the role later this year as part of a wider overhaul of the regulator under Data (Use and Access) Act.. He previously served as New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner from 2014 to 2021.
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
