Tony Eastaugh has announced his resignation from the role of biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner.
He has indicated he will step down from the role in the middle of this month, saying he entered it last December a “time limited capacity” to help deliver the closure of the office as part of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.
The loss of the bill in Parliament’s ‘wash up’ before the recent general election put the abolition of the office on hold, disrupting the initial plan for Eastaugh to manage the process.
His office has now announced: “We await news from the Home Office regarding the appointment of a new commissioner and will provide an update in due course.”
Under the parliamentary bill the powers of the biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner were to be added to those of the UK information commissioner.
This prompted a public criticism of the legislation from Eastaugh’s predecessor, Dr Fraser Sampson, as he moved on from the role.
