Identity Commissioner

The Identity Commissioner (officially known as the National Identity Scheme Commissioner) was an independent regulator in the United Kingdom appointed under the Identity Cards Act 2006 based in London.

Not to be confused with Information Commissioner.

Office of the Identity Commissioner logo

Following the formation of the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition after the 2010 General Election, it was announced that the ID cards scheme was to be scrapped.[1][2] The Identity Documents Act 2010 abolished ID cards and the Office of the Identity Commissioner.[3]

First commissioner appointed

The Identity Commissioner was appointed by the Home Secretary and reported at least annually to Parliament on his oversight of the National Identity Service (previously known as National Identity Scheme). The first Commissioner, Sir Joseph Pilling, took office on 1 October 2009.[4]

Role and powers of the Identity Commissioner

Under the Identity Cards Act 2006 the Identity Commissioner had the power to review matters relating to the National Identity Service including:

(i) the arrangements made by the Secretary of State for carrying out his functions under the Identity Cards Act;
(ii) the arrangements made by persons for processing information, which has been provided to them under our powers in the Act; and
(iii) the use of identity cards.

The Identity Commissioner was also obliged to review arrangements:

(i) for securing the confidentiality and integrity of the National Identity Register; and
(ii) for dealing with complaints about the way in which the Secretary of State carries out his functions relating to the Scheme.

Annual Report 2009

On 25 February 2010, as required by the 2006 Act, the Home Secretary laid before Parliament the Identity Commissioner's first annual report, outlining the work of the Commissioner since the creation of the Office of the Identity Commissioner on 1 October 2009. The report is available on the Identity Commissioner's website.[5]

References
  1. Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Archived 15 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Conservative Party, Published 12 May 2010, Accessed 13 May 2010
  2. Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Archived 11 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Liberal Democrats, Published 12 May 2010, Accessed 13 May 2010
  3. Queen’s Speech – Identity Documents Bill Archived 28 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Number10.gov.uk, published 25 May 2010, accessed 27 May 2010]
  4. Home Office Website 14 Sep 2009 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. The Identity Commissioner's First Annual Report - 2009
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