FOI 58-25: Information regarding the appointment and resignation of the Commissioner

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

17 October 2025
Our ref: FoI 58-25 

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 6 October 2025 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Your request was as follows—

“1. On what date was the Commissioner appointed? On what date did he serve notice? On what date did he cease in the role?

  2. Did the Commissioner resign with immediate effect or did the NIA wave his notice period? (What was his notice period?)

  3. With the exception of being paid his one week's salary, did the Commissioner receive (or is he expecting to receive) any other monies, severance payments, benefits or what are commonly called golden handshakes as part of this public appointment? (If yes, please provide details).”

Our response

The Assembly Commission holds information in relation to your request.

Question 1

Mr McEwan was appointed as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards (the Commissioner) on 8 September by resolution of the Assembly. He resigned from the appointment on 16 September 2025.

Question 2

Mr McEwan resigned with immediate effect.  The Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, under which the Commissioner is appointed, does not specify any notice period should the Commissioner resign.

Question 3

The Commissioner does not receive a salary but does receive a daily rate for work undertaken. Mr McEwan did not carry out any work during the period of his appointment and did not receive any payment.

Further Information

You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission.  If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address.  If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised.

Yours sincerely

INFORMATION STANDARDS