What does the Investigatory Powers Commissioner do?
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Brian Leveson, has responsibility for reviewing the use of investigatory powers by public authorities, such as intelligence agencies, police and local authorities. He is supported by a team of Judicial Commissioners.
Biography
Sir Brian Leveson replaced Sir Adrian Fulford as the Investigatory Powers Commissioner in October 2019. Before assuming this role, Sir Brian was President of the Queen’s Bench Division (appointed in October 2013) and Head of Criminal Justice for England and Wales.
Between 2009 and 2013, Sir Brian was the Chairman of the Sentencing Council, during which time he was appointed by the Prime Minister to chair the public Inquiry investigating the culture, practices and ethics of the press and its relationship with the public, the police and politicians. His report was published in November 2012.
In 2006, following his appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Brian became Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales. In 2000, Sir Brian was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division and served as a Presiding Judge of the Northern Circuit.
Sir Brian is also an honorary fellow of Merton College, Oxford and is the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.