Elizabeth Filkin
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Filkin is a British civil servant. She was the United Kingdom's Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
between February 1999 and 2002. On 18 July 2011, it was announced that Elizabeth Filkin would lead an inquiry related to the News International phone hacking scandal which would "recommend changes to links between the police and the media, including how to extend transparency."
Born in Keynsham
, Somerset
, Filkin studied at Clifton High School
in Bristol
and Birmingham University. She started her career as a lecturer and community worker at the National Institute for Social Work
between 1968 and 1971. She then worked as community work services officer in the London Borough of Brent
(1971–75); lecturer in social studies at the University of Liverpool
(1975–83); chief executive, then director of community services at the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau
x (1983–90); assistant chief executive, then revenue adjudicator at the London Docklands Development Corporation
(1990–1995); and adjudicator at the Inland Revenue
, Customs and Excise and Contributions Agency (1995–99) before becoming Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
in February 1999.
Her departure was controversial, with some claiming she was ousted for investigating high-profile MPs too closely. Many considered she had performed well and should not have had to reapply for the role when her three-year contract came up for renewal.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is an officer of the British House of Commons.He or she is appointed by a Resolution of the House of Commons and works a four-day week.- Tasks :...
between February 1999 and 2002. On 18 July 2011, it was announced that Elizabeth Filkin would lead an inquiry related to the News International phone hacking scandal which would "recommend changes to links between the police and the media, including how to extend transparency."
Born in Keynsham
Keynsham
Keynsham is a town and civil parish between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, south-west England. It has a population of 15,533.It was listed in the Domesday Book as Cainesham, which is believed to mean the home of Saint Keyne....
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, Filkin studied at Clifton High School
Clifton High School (Bristol)
Clifton High School is an independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded as Clifton High School for Girls in 1877 by visionaries including John Percival, the first Headmaster of Clifton College...
in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and Birmingham University. She started her career as a lecturer and community worker at the National Institute for Social Work
National Institute for Social Work
The National Institute for Social Work was a provider of services aimed at achieving excellence in practice and management in social work and social care in the United Kingdom. It was set up in 1961, following the proposals in the report of the Ministry of Health Working Party on Social Workers in...
between 1968 and 1971. She then worked as community work services officer in the London Borough of Brent
London Borough of Brent
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 2,022. This rose slowly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 5,646 in the middle of the century. When the railways arrived the rate of population growth increased...
(1971–75); lecturer in social studies at the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
(1975–83); chief executive, then director of community services at the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau
A Citizens Advice Bureau is one of a network of independent charities throughout the UK that give free, confidential information and advice to help people with their money, legal, consumer and other problems....
x (1983–90); assistant chief executive, then revenue adjudicator at the London Docklands Development Corporation
London Docklands Development Corporation
The London Docklands Development Corporation was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its eighteen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an area of in the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and...
(1990–1995); and adjudicator at the Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue
The Inland Revenue was, until April 2005, a department of the British Government responsible for the collection of direct taxation, including income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax, petroleum revenue tax and stamp duty...
, Customs and Excise and Contributions Agency (1995–99) before becoming Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is an officer of the British House of Commons.He or she is appointed by a Resolution of the House of Commons and works a four-day week.- Tasks :...
in February 1999.
Her departure was controversial, with some claiming she was ousted for investigating high-profile MPs too closely. Many considered she had performed well and should not have had to reapply for the role when her three-year contract came up for renewal.