Straw names preferred Information Commissioner

Director general of Advertising Standards Authority in the frame to succeed Richard Thomas

Christopher Graham is the man targeted to be the next Commissioner

Justice secretary Jack Straw has named his preferred candidate to succeed Richard Thomas in the role of Information Commissioner in June.

Christopher Graham, currently director general of the Advertising Standards Authority, has been selected as the preferred candidate.

The Ministry of Justice said that Graham was identified following a rigorous selection process, validated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Straw today invited the Justice Select Committee to hold a pre-appointment hearing and to report on Graham's suitability for the post, in line with proposals announced last year to increase the democratic scrutiny of key public appointments.