2(1)Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the Commissioner shall hold office for such term not exceeding [F1seven years] as may be determined at the time of his appointment.U.K.
(2)The Commissioner may be relieved of his office by Her Majesty at his own request.
(3)The Commissioner may be removed from office by Her Majesty in pursuance of an Address from both Houses of Parliament.
[F2(3A)No motion is to be made in either House of Parliament for such an Address unless a Minister of the Crown has presented a report to that House stating that the Minister is satisfied that one or more of the following grounds is made out—
(a)the Commissioner has failed to discharge the functions of the office for a continuous period of at least 3 months,
(b)the Commissioner has failed to comply with the terms of appointment,
(c)the Commissioner has been convicted of a criminal offence,
(d)the Commissioner is an undischarged bankrupt or the Commissioner's estate has been sequestrated in Scotland and the Commissioner has not been discharged,
(e)the Commissioner has made an arrangement or composition contract with, or has granted a trust deed for, the Commissioner's creditors,
(f)the Commissioner is otherwise unfit to hold the office or unable to carry out its functions.
(3B)No recommendation may be made to Her Majesty for the appointment of a person as the Commissioner unless the person concerned has been selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
(3C)A person appointed as the Commissioner may not be appointed again for a further term of office.]
F3(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Sch. 5 para. 2(1) substituted (16.3.2015) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 105(1), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2015/587, art. 2(a)
F2Sch. 5 para. 2(3A)-(3C) inserted (16.3.2015) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 105(2), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2015/587, art. 2(a)
F3Sch. 5 para. 2(4)(5) repealed (16.3.2015) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 105(3), 120, Sch. 10 Pts. 8 (with s. 97); S.I. 2015/587, art. 2(a)(c); S.I. 2015/587, art. 2(a)(c)