Publications

IPCO Annual Reports

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner reports annually on his findings and activities:

IPC Annual Report 2019

IPCO Annual Report 2018

IPCO Annual Report 2017 

Working Protocol:  Technology Advisory Panel

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner has agreed a Working Protocol with Sir Bernard Silverman, chair of the Technology Advisory Panel.  This sets out the structure and functions of the TAP, as well as the basis of the working relationship between the TAP and the Commissioner’s Office.

The formal report of the Metrics of Privacy Conference can be found here.

Consultations

IPCO Consultation Process

A consultation is the process by which an organisation seeks the views of others on matters relevant to its activities or responsibilities. The organisation will review the responses received, which are published, and may organise events to explore issues that have been raised. The final conclusions from a consultation exercise are then made public.

The IPCO approach to consultations is set out in the Policy on Public Consultations.

Consolidated Guidance Consultation

In June 2018, the Prime Minister asked the IPC to review the Consolidated Guidance on the detention and interviewing of detainees overseas and on the passing and receipt of intelligence relating to detainees, and to make proposals as to how the guidance could be improved.

The IPC sought the views of civil society and others with an interest in this area through a number of questions, set out in the paper, Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance.

IPCO received nine responses, which are published below. Having reviewed the responses, in December 2018, the IPC gathered non-Governmental organisations, various interested academics and Government representatives for a meeting at Chatham House. This was chaired by Lord Anderson of Ipswich and a summary of the discussion was made public.

In reaching his final conclusions, the IPC also held a number of meetings with representatives from HMG and the intelligence agencies.  This was to ensure he understood the operational impact of any proposals he would make. 

The recommendations in his final response to the Prime Minister, along with the new guidance (The Principles relating to the detention and interviewing of detainees overseas and the passing and receipt of intelligence relating to detainees) were accepted by the Prime Minister and published on 18 July 2019. 

Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance documents:

Statement: Prime Minister's statement on the Review of the Consolidated Guidance (July 2019)

Response: HM Government to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (November 2018)

Response: REDRESS to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (29 October 2018)

Response: Amnesty International to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (28 October 2018)

Response: University of Sheffield and University of Westminster to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (25 October 2018)

Response: APPG on Extraordinary Rendition to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (October 2018)

Response: Liberty to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (October 2018)

Response: Privacy International to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (October 2018)

Response: Reprieve and Freedom From Torture to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (October 2018)

Response: Fair Trials to IPCO Consultation on the Consolidated Guidance (2018)

Correspondence

Coronavirus Act 2020

Letter to the Home Secretary on the Coronavirus Act 2020 (March 2020)

Consolidated Guidance Consultation 2019

Investigatory Powers Commissioner's letter to the Prime Minister (June 2019)

Juvenile CHIS

Investigatory Powers Commissioner response to Harriet Harman MP on the use of Juvenile Covert Human Intelligence Sources (August 2018)

Harriet Harman MP letter on use of Juvenile Covert Human Intelligence Sources (August 2018)

Use of bulk powers

Investigatory Powers Commissioner's invitation for submissions on the proportionality of bulk powers to wider organisations (May 2018)

Graham Smith's response (Partner, Bird & Bird LLP) to IPCO's bulk powers submission request (June 2018)

Liberty's response to IPCO's bulk powers submission request (June 2018)

Open Rights Group's response to IPCO's bulk powers submission request (2018)

University of Essex's response to IPCO's bulk powers submission request (2018)

Advisory Notice

IPCO's Advisory Notice 1/2018: Approval of Warrants, Authorisations and Notices by Judicial Commissioners