Richard James Thomas (born 18 June 1949) is known for his tenure as Information Commissioner of the United Kingdom, a post which he held from December 2002 to June 2009.Management Board on Information Commissioner's Office official site. Retrieved 16 September 2007 During his time in office, he raised concerns over the increased use of closed-circuit television (CCTV)Warning over 'talking CCTV' plans, BBC News, 1 May 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007 and the introduction of ID CardsPatrick Foster, Big Brother surveillance means no one is safe, experts warn, The Times, 27 March 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007 in the UK.
Thomas is currently Deputy chairman and co-opted Council Member of the Consumers' Association, Trustee / Director of Whitehall & Industry Group and was Chairman of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council from 1 September 2009 until its abolition in August 2013.ICO website, Richard Thomas' discolsure of interests. Retrieved 29 June 2009 He is also a visiting professor of Law at Northumbria University.New visiting professor appointments for Northumbria’s Law School, Northumbria University News website, 9 March 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007
Born in June 1949, the son of a magistrate, Thomas attended public school and studied law at Southampton University in the late 1960s (he was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from this same university).University recognises distinguished achievements with honorary degree awards, University of Southampton News website, 19 July 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007
In his early career, he worked as an articled clerk and solicitor with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (from 1971) and the Citizens Advice Bureau, Notting Hill (from 1974). He then went on to work in legal and public affairs positions with the National Consumer Council (from 1979) and the Office of Fair Trading.David Hencke, The Guardian profile: Richard Thomas, The Guardian, 1 July 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2007 While at the National Consumer Council he was also involved with the Campaign for Freedom of Information and had a secondary involvement in the publishing of a book of essays entitled Consuming Secrets.Rosemary Delbridge & Martin Smith (Eds.), Consuming Secrets: How official secrecy affects everyday life in Britain, National Consumer Council, 1982. Catalogue reference at the British Library. Retrieved 16 September 2007
Before appointment as Information Commissioner, he was the first Director of Public Policy at Clifford Chance.
He has been married to Julia Clarke since 1974 and they have three adult children. He and his wife live in Reigate, Surrey.
Thomas was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours "for public service".CBE for Information Commissioner, BBC News, 12 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2009
Leveson enquiry
A document submitted to the Leveson Inquiry by witness Alec Owens indicates that Richard Thomas refused to prosecute perpetrators of phone hacking, despite receiving a recommendation that "all parties identified as being involved be jointly prosecuted for 'conspiracy to breach the Data Protection Act 1998'."
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