Edwards stepped back from his duties at the end of February 2026 due to an independent workplace investigation.  

Announcing his resignation on Friday ( 19^th June), Edwards said that his position had become “untenable”. He wrote in a LinkedIn post: “From the time the investigation was launched, I have accepted that there have been occasions where I exercised poor judgement and made attempts at humour that were inappropriate and caused offence.

“It is for this reason that I have decided that it is appropriate that I resign from my position.”

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s regulator for data privacy and information rights, and regulates AI through the lens of data protection legislation.

The ICO confirmed on Friday that Edwards had submitted his resignation to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The regulatory body said in Friday’s statement that the investigation relating to Edwards concluded that “there was a case to answer and made clear that his behaviour fell short of the conduct expected from a public official”.

Liz Kendall, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, wrote in a LinkedIn post published on Saturday ( 20^th June): “I have seen evidence of the vulgar and highly sexualised language that was used in his interactions with his staff and am extremely concerned that he continues to describe these incidents as misplaced humour, including on his social media post announcing his resignation.”

The regulator’s board and executive team are continuing to lead the ICO to ensure continuity of leadership and its regulatory work. Deputy commissioner and chief executive Paul Arnold is currently undertaking the non-delegable information commissioner’s responsibilities on a temporary basis.