The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office has announced the retirement of Sir John Goldring as Deputy Investigatory Powers Commissioner, with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, appointing Lord Hughes and Sir Peter Gross to the deputy role in his place.
Goldring has served IPCO since its establishment in 2017 and was formally appointed as Deputy Investigatory Powers Commissioner on 30 October 2024. At Leveson's request, he extended his tenure to lead the independent investigation into the Agent X case, and his report was submitted to the Prime Minister this month.
That investigation, published on 16 July 2026, identified serious and systemic failures in MI5's handling of Agent X, including an unauthorised departure from the Neither Confirm Nor Deny policy, a false account that was relied upon before the High Court, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and in judicial review proceedings, and failures by MI5 officers to comply with their duty of candour and statutory disclosure obligations. Neither Goldring nor Leveson will make further public comment on the case while legal proceedings continue.
The new appointments are made under the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024. IPCO provides independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers by public authorities under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, and the Deputy Investigatory Powers Commissioner supports the Commissioner across the office's statutory oversight functions and may act in his absence.
Leveson said Goldring had given "exceptional service to IPCO since its very beginning" and wished him a well-earned retirement. He said he was delighted to welcome Hughes and Gross, whose deep familiarity with IPCO's work made them ideally placed to support its oversight functions. Both currently serve as Judicial Commissioners at IPCO.
Sir John Goldring's report of the independent investigation into the Agent X case is available at www.ipco.org.uk.
