The new Standards Commissioner at the Assembly has left the role after just over a week in post, to take on a job in England.
Mark McEwan was officially appointed Standards Commissioner last Monday, 8 September, after the Assembly approved the appointment.
He has stepped down from the role and will join Surrey Police as their new Deputy Chief Constable.
McEwan was an Assistant Chief Constable at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) until 2024 when he retired.
His resignation was received by Speaker Edwin Poots on Tuesday, who then wrote to MLAs, saying the appointment process will need to be ran again for a new Standards Commissioner to be nominated.
“The recent recruitment competition conducted by the Assembly Commission for the appointment of the commissioner of standards produced a list of appointable candidates,” he said.
“The Assembly Commission will now go through the necessary processes of pre-appointment checks in the coming weeks to come back to the assembly to nominate a new commissioner for standards as soon as possible.
“While the Assembly Commission would have preferred not to have to come back to the assembly on this matter so soon, this is a significant appointment for Mr McEwan and I therefore wish him every success in his new role.”
– Edwin Poots, Stormont Speaker
Surrey Police released a statement on Tuesday confirming McEwan’s appointment.
“Mark brings extensive experience in policing including more than 26 years serving in Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Police.
“Throughout his career, Mark has worked in a breadth of roles including community policing, counterterrorism, investigations, equality and diversity, crime prevention and change management.”
McEwan said: “I’m excited to be joining a force with a strong reputation and high calibre of officers, staff and volunteers, to deliver the best possible service to the communities of Surrey.”
