Kevin Dunion

Kevin Dunion OBE

Kevin Dunion OBE (born 1955) was the first Scottish Information Commissioner 2003−2012, and formerly Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews 2008−11. He is an Honorary Professor in the University of Dundee School of Law and a member of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

Early life

Dunion was born in Bridge of Allan, and brought up in Alloa and Glenrothes. He was educated at the University of St Andrews (MA (Hons) Modern History 1978) and at the University of Edinburgh (MSc (Dist) African Studies 1991).

Career

Following periods in the civil service and university administration, Dunion joined Oxfam as Campaigns Manager and then took up the post of Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland. From 1996 to 2000 he also served as Chairman of Friends of the Earth International, heading delegations to the United Nations and European Commission.

Dunion was appointed as the first Scottish Information Commissioner in February 2003. He was reappointed in 2008.[1] He left office on 23 February 2012 after two terms - a total of nine years in office, during which time he handled some 1,500 cases.[2]

Before becoming the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion was for many years a notable proponent for freedom of information, and gave evidence to the Justice Committee scrutinising the passage of the Bill through the Scottish Parliament. He wrote the book Troublemakers – The Struggle For Environmental Justice In Scotland.

He was elected Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews in October 2008; his term ran until 2011.[3] In 2012 Dunion was appointed Honorary Professor in the University of Dundee School of Law.[4] He is executive director of their Freedom of Information Centre.[5]

In April 2013 he was appointed as a non-lawyer member of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.[2]

Awards and honours

In 2000 he was awarded an OBE for his work with Friends of the Earth.

In 2011 he was awarded an honorary degree, LLD, by the University of St Andrews.[6]

Personal life

Dunion is married to Linda Malloch, who was formerly married to Iain Gray, the former leader of the Labour Group in the Scottish Parliament.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Commissioner reappointed" (Press release). Scottish Information Commissioner. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Kevin Dunion joins Complaints Commission". The Journal. Law Society of Scotland. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Commissioner sweeps to victory as new rector of St Andrews University". Fife Today. 7 November 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  4. ↑ The Scottish Information Commissioner's website; accessed 29 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Centre for Freedom of Information". University of Dundee. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "University honour for Dunion". Fife Today. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Bowditch, Gillian (3 January 2010). "Ecosse interview: Kevin Dunion". Sunday Times Scotland. London, UK. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
Government offices
New office Scottish Information Commissioner
2003 — 2012 		Succeeded by
Rosemary Agnew
Academic offices
Preceded by
Simon Pepper		 Rector of the University of St Andrews
2008—2011 		Succeeded by
Alistair Moffat
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