Information Commissioner Christopher Graham (pictured) to conduct “scoping exercise” into scale of enquiry
Information Commissioner Christopher Graham has been handed a two-week window to investigate and address the “scale of the enquiry” into the list of 98 clients of rogue private investigators conducted by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
In a statement released by the Home Affairs Committee, it said: “The committee agreed that Mr Graham’s team will conduct an initial, two-week scoping exercise, after which the scale of the inquiry will be more apparent.”
He would inform the committee of the results of the scoping exercise and then report back to the committee at a meeting scheduled for 8 October.
Committee frustration
The Home Affairs Committee has been left frustrated by the delays in tackling some of the names on the list of 98. It said: “The committee has been frustrated by the lack of activity on this issue over the past four years.
“In contrast to the rigorous police investigation of those in the media who are accused of being involved in the unlawful trade in information, little if anything seems to have been done to investigate those in other sectors, such as law and insurance.
“In addition, nothing seems to have been done for the potential victims.”
Summoned to appear
On the night of Sunday 8 September, Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz summoned Graham to appear before the committee the following day.
In his briefing to the Home Affairs Committee, Graham stated that he didn’t want the list to be published as it would impede the court of justice.
Vaz commented: “To ensure that this investigation brings those clients who have committed illegal acts to justice, we have asked Mr Graham to come before the committee after his scoping exercise.
“This will allow us to reassess whether his investigation fulfils all that is required. We will then decide on the next steps.”
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