Discrimination, harassment and bullying at the ICO: Email your MP
PCS is calling for action to end the culture of discrimination, harassment and bullying at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The former Information Commissioner, John Edwards, resigned on 19 June 2026 after a workplace investigation found there was a case to answer in relation to serious allegations of sexual harassment and bullying made against him.
The former Secretary of State, Liz Kendall giving evidence at the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, 8th July 2026 announced that there would be an independent review into what happened at the ICO.
However, the review planned lacks sufficient independence, scope and credibility.
PCS believes the review should be commissioned and overseen by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Parliament, with the ICO solely a facilitator, given they are central to the issues being examined.
The union is also concerned that the draft Terms of Reference frame the exercise too narrowly as “lessons learned” and fail to address wider leadership accountability, governance failures, staff welfare, psychological safety, legal duties and previous complaints or missed opportunities to intervene.
PCS believes the review must give a voice to both current and former staff including former Executive Team members, so it can properly examine the organisational culture, escalation routes and senior leadership behaviours which led to the crisis in staff and public confidence the ICO must address.
We are calling for the independent reviewer to have full powers and authority to follow the evidence without restrictions being imposed by the current ICO Executive Team or DCMS.
We have stressed that restoring trust is essential to the ICO’s credibility as both an employer and regulator, particularly given wider concerns about transparency, enforcement and accountability.
Take action
You can support our demand for a truly independent review by raising them with your local MP by sending them this quick e-action.
If you have more time, you can write to your MP separately and raise how the issues at ICO have impacted on you and your colleagues.
