ASA boss set to be data watchdog

Mr Graham has been at the ASA nine years

Advertising Standards Authority boss Christopher Graham is in line to take over as information commissioner.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has recommended him to replace Richard Thomas, who retires on 30 June.

The appointment has to be vetted by the Commons justice committee but Mr Graham said he was keen to take on the task.

Mr Thomas has dealt with issues ranging from MPs' expenses to Whitehall data security in his six years as information commissioner.

Former BBC journalist Mr Graham has been director general of the ASA since April 2000.

New challenge

Mr Graham, 58, said it had been "one of the best jobs in the world" but it was time for someone else to take it forward.

"Meanwhile the information commissioner is so much at the centre of debates on information security, privacy, better government and the right to know that I am keen to take on this new challenge," he said.

Mr Thomas has been information commissioner since November 2002 and has a range of responsibilities, including ruling on Freedom of Information cases.

I think you have to speak out on occasions but I think you have to choose your ground carefully. You can't be a rent-a-quote Richard Thomas Information commissioner

He has also had to respond to several high-profile data security lapses - including the loss of two computers discs containing personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16.

He has also warned that fears Britain would "sleepwalk into a surveillance society" had become a reality.

Later Mr Thomas, giving evidence on changes to the role of information commissioner to the Commons justice committee, said it was a challenging job and he wished his successor "very good fortune in taking the role forward".

Speaking about his role he said: "I think you have to speak out on occasions but I think you have to choose your ground carefully. You can't be a rent-a-quote ... you have to have a principled approach rooted in the law."

He also pointed out that Freedom of Information was done "on a shoestring" - pointing out that his office, with 53 staff, was funded by the Ministry of Justice which itself had 28 staff dealing with FOI requests to that department.

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