UK Information Commissioner from 2009 to 2016. Told the Inquiry that proposals for tougher data-protection laws could have a negative effect on investigative journalism and that he would oppose the Information Commissioner’s Office becoming more of a regulating body.
Born 1969. British senior law-enforcement officer. Appointed Director General of the National Crime Agency in April 2016, making her one of the most senior law-enforcement chiefs in Britain. Awarded CBE and QPM for services throughout her extensive career. Answered questions at the Inquiry on her work with the Metropolitan Police Service.
At the time of the Inquiry, Thompson was Director General of the BBC. He said in evidence that in the wake of the emergence of phone hacking at the News of the World newspaper, he had ordered a wide-ranging review of BBC practice, including whether staff at the BBC had engaged in phone hacking, made improper payments to police and made any use of private investigators. He concluded that no BBC staff had been involved in such activities.
Director-General of the BBC from January 2000 to January 2004, a position from which he resigned following heavy criticism of the BBC's news-reporting process in the Hutton Inquiry (into the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly). Credited with introducing 'tabloid' television to British broadcasting and reviving the ratings of TV-am. Held chief executive positions at LWT Group, Pearson Television and Channel 5. Gave evidence to the Inquiry of the ethical procedures in place during his time as Director-General including the use of hired investigators and undercover operators.
English barrister and former Senior Director of Law and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft specialising in IT licensing, intellectual property and competition law. Was asked by the Inquiry to provide information on search systems.
