Letter of resignation (accessible)
Updated 8 September 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioners-letter-of-resignation/letter-of-resignation-accessible
By email Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Cc: Rt Hon Chris Philp MP
Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire
1 August 2023
Dear Home Secretary
Notice of Resignation
I was appointed to cover the combined but discrete roles of Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner for a period of two years from 1 March 2021 while the government decided how to proceed with the respective functions currently set out under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (the Bill) makes provision for the functions of the Biometrics Commissioner to be subsumed by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and removes the need for the government to publish a Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, rendering the functions of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner otiose.
I had been clear in discussion with officials that, for personal reasons, I would be out of the country for a substantial period towards the end of 2023 and, as the end of my term approached, I agreed to consider a short reappointment tied to the intended date on which the Bill would receive Royal Assent, envisaged at that time to fall within the same session of Parliament. Changes to the parliamentary timetable have resulted in the Bill not being expected to attain Royal Assent until the Spring of 2024 at the earliest.
Having explored a number of alternatives with officials, I am unable to find a practical way in which I can continue to discharge the functions of these two roles beyond 1 November and I must therefore give notice of my intention to resign on 31 October 2023, that being three months from the date of this letter.
I shall, of course, continue to carry out the duties of the position in accordance with the terms of my reappointment for the notice period and wish my successor(s) well.
Yours sincerely
Professor Fraser Sampson
LL.B (Hons)., LL.M., MBA., PhD., Solicitor
Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material and Surveillance Camera Commissioner