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PM wheels out snoop overseer minutes before latest snoops' charter bid lands

Top silk says challenging time ahead on investigatory powers

Sir Stanley Burnton has been unveiled as the UK's new Interception of Communications Commissioner, just minutes before the Home Secretary is set to deliver her draft Investigatory Powers Bill to the House of Commons.

He replaces interim commish Sir Anthony May, who quit his post five months earlier than expected in May this year.

Burnton – who was first called to the Bar 50 years ago – said in a statement:

I am delighted to have been appointed by the Prime Minister to undertake this role at what is an especially significant and challenging time for investigatory powers.

I would like to acknowledge the work undertaken by my predecessor, the Rt Hon. Sir Anthony May to increase transparency and improve the public and Parliament’s understanding of IOCCO’s oversight regime and how the interception and communications data powers are used by public authorities.

The Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IOCCO) is tasked with reviewing cops and spooks' interception of communications and subsequent slurping and retention of data in the UK, only after warrants have been issued by the Home Office. ®

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