Lord Leveson: Investigatory Powers Commissioner made a peer

Lord Leveson: Investigatory Powers Commissioner made a peer

IPCO is pleased to announce that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner was on 25 August 2026 made a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, taking the title The Rt Hon. The Lord Leveson of Liverpool. The peerage recognises his significant contribution to public life, including his current role at IPCO overseeing the lawful use of investigatory powers and his long-standing career in the judiciary. Everyone at IPCO extends their congratulations on this well-deserved honour.

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

Lord Leveson became a crossbench peer in the House of Lords in 2026, taking the title The Rt Hon. The Lord Leveson of Liverpool.

More than 600 public authorities can use investigatory powers, including the intelligence agencies, police and local authorities. Applications for communications data are considered by IPCO Authorising Individuals, while applications for the most intrusive investigatory powers are considered first by a Secretary of State and then by IPCO’s Judicial Commissioners. Use of the powers is also overseen by IPCO’s Inspectors, who conduct regular inspections of public authorities to ensure powers are lawfully applied. All this work is overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

Lord Leveson has been in post as Investigatory Powers Commissioner since October 2019. His appointment was renewed by the Prime Minister in October 2025.

A full biography of Lord Leveson is available here.

Further information about IPCO is here: www.ipco.org.uk/