Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Annual Report 2019
Letter to the Prime Minister
The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
October 2020
Dear Prime Minister,
I enclose the Annual Report covering the work of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s
Office (IPCO) and the Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA) from 1 January to
31 December 2019.
This is my second report to you as the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. It covers both the final
months of oversight under my predecessor, The Rt Hon. Lord Justice Fulford, and my initial period
as Commissioner. This report, as those before it, has been written in two sections. This public
section includes information on the use of covert powers by UK authorities and includes the details
required of me under section 234 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. The second section, the
Confidential Annex, contains sensitive details the publication of which may be prejudicial to the
public interest.
For the first time I have included details of the work of OCDA, which was established in 2018
under the Investigatory Powers Act and also falls under my responsibility. I have been impressed
by the tremendous effort that has gone into setting up the office, from both the staff within the
new organisation and from those with whom we work, in particular the Home Office. OCDA is
now delivering independent decisions on communications data applications and has already
demonstrated the value of this approach for both transparency and compliance.
It is for you to determine, in consultation with my office, whether this report can be published in its
full form, without releasing material which would be contrary to the public interest, or prejudicial
to national security, to the prevention or detection of serious crime, to the economic wellbeing of
the United Kingdom, or to the discharge of the functions of those authorities which I oversee.
In my first months as Commissioner, I have been struck by the dedication and professionalism of all
the representatives I have met from the authorities I oversee as they undertake vital work within
the increasing challenges of modern society. I have been particularly impressed with the openness
with which I have been received and the support I have been given in my ambition to increase the
transparency with which this work is conducted, despite the obvious need to safeguard sensitive
operations and national security.
Yours sincerely,
The Rt Hon. Sir Brian Leveson
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner
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