Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Official Report 1008KB pdf

Scottish Information Commissioner

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-09727, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the appointment of a new Scottish Information Commissioner. I call Martin Whitfield to speak to and move the motion on behalf of the selection panel.

As a member of the cross-party selection panel that was established by the Presiding Officer under our standing orders, I am delighted to speak to the motion in my name, which invites members of the Parliament to nominate David Hamilton to His Majesty the King for appointment as the new Scottish Information Commissioner. Mr Hamilton would take up his appointment on 16 October 2023.

The Presiding Officer chaired the selection panel, and the other members were Jim Fairlie, Murdo Fraser, Gillian Mackay and Evelyn Tweed. This is an important appointment. The Scottish Information Commissioner is an independent office holder who is responsible for promoting and enforcing Scotland’s freedom of information regime. Freedom of information gives everyone the right to access information that is held by Scottish public authorities. It supports openness, transparency and accountability in the bodies that provide us with public services.

Freedom of information has been in place for 20 years, and two consultations are being undertaken to reform the current regime, so the new commissioner will therefore be starting at an exciting and important time for FOI in Scotland.

Let me turn to the nominee, who joins us with his family in the chamber. David Hamilton is a retired police officer who latterly served as the chair of the Scottish Police Federation. David has held a number of non-executive roles and is currently the chair of his local community council. David is also an experienced aid worker who recently returned from Ukraine, where he volunteered for Edinburgh Direct Aid. The panel believes that David’s skills and experience will make him an excellent commissioner.

I would also like to mention the outgoing commissioner, Daren Fitzhenry, who will demit office later this year. On a personal note, I would like to thank him for the work that he has done, and I am sure that members across the chamber would like to join me in thanking him and wishing him all the very best for the future.

I move,

That the Parliament nominates David Hamilton to His Majesty The King for appointment as the Scottish Information Commissioner under section 42 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.