ICO’s top man in Ireland suspended

Aubrey McCrory

Mystery surrounds the reasons why the Information Commissioner’s most senior official in Northern Ireland has been suspended from his job this week.

BBC News reported that it is alleged Aubrey McCrory engaged in inappropriate conduct (whatever that might be) within his Belfast office.

Aubrey McCrory was appointed assistant commissioner for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in Northern Ireland just over a year ago.

As head of the Northern Ireland office and an Assistant Commissioner it is believed he is paid around £58,000 per year.

A spokesman for the ICO said: “We can confirm that Aubrey McCrory, assistant commissioner for Northern Ireland, has been suspended on full pay pending an internal investigation into some allegations concerning his conduct.

“We stress that this suspension is a neutral act, with no presumption of guilt or innocence.

“To avoid prejudicing the investigation, we will offer no further information at this stage.”

His bio on the ICO’s website says: “Aubrey joined the ICO’s Belfast office in 2008 after working in improvement and regulatory roles covering central and local government, and private sector consultancy. Previously, he was a deputy director in the Equality Commission’s Policy and Development Division, with specific responsibility for the statutory equality duties. Aubrey has an honours degree in politics and public administration, a Master of Philosophy in conflict studies and a Master of Science in research methods.”