UK's top data and AI regulator quits after 'inappropriate' humour
John Edwards, the UK's information commissioner, has resigned following a workplace investigation. "I have accepted that there have been occasions where I exercised poor judgement
John Edwards, the UK's information commissioner, has resigned following a workplace investigation. "I have accepted that there have been occasions where I exercised poor judgement and made attempts at humour that were inappropriate and caused offence," he said in a statement on Friday. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is responsible for regulating AI in the UK and also oversees data protection regulation and the freedom of information law. Science Secretary Liz Kendall said she had "seen evidence of the vulgar and highly sexualised language that was used in his interactions with his staff and am extremely concerned that he continues to describe these incidents as misplaced humour".
In a post on the networking site LinkedIn,, external she wrote: "Multiple women shared testimony to the investigator on feeling offended, shocked and uncomfortable following interactions with Mr Edwards. "I am deeply grateful to all who came forward to share their experiences as part of this investigation." The ICO later confirmed Edwards had resigned as information commissioner - a post he has held since early 2022. "As a Crown appointee and accountable to Parliament, Mr Edwards submitted his resignation to the DSIT," it said in a statement. "Mr Edwards had voluntarily stepped back from his duties at the end of February to enable an independent workplace investigation," it added - saying since then, the organisation's board and executive team has led its work.
"The investigation concluded that there was a case to answer and made clear that his behaviour fell short of the conduct expected from a public official," it added. When asked by the BBC, the organisation would not elaborate on the findings, or if they concerned what Edwards described as "poor judgement" or "inappropriate" humour in his resignation statement. In his statement, shared on his LinkedIn page, Edwards said while he disagreed with how the investigation had been carried out, "I accept that my position has become untenable". He said he did not want to become "a distraction" from the ICO's work and had notified the government of his resignation as both commissioner and chair of the ICO "effective immediately".
The ICO said in a statement on 10 June, external the independent investigation had been completed and, finding "there is a case to answer", said the commissioner would be "temporarily unable to act in fulfilling his responsibilities for the remainder of the process". It said on Friday its board and executive team would continue to lead the ICO "to ensure continuity in our leadership and regulatory work".
The BriefWire