Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 230 – Additional directed oversight functions
Sections
Section 230Additional directed oversight functions
(1) So far as directed to do so by the Prime Minister and subject to subsection (2), the Investigatory Powers Commissioner must keep under review the carrying out of any aspect of the functions of—
- (a)an intelligence service,
- (b)a head of an intelligence service, F1...
- (c)any part of Her Majesty's forces, or of the Ministry of Defence, so far as engaging in intelligence activities [F2, or
- (d)any public authority not mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c), or any part of such an authority, so far as engaging in intelligence activities.]
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to anything which is required to be kept under review by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner under section 229.
(3) The Prime Minister may give a direction under this section at the request of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner or the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament or otherwise.
(4) The Prime Minister must publish, in a manner which the Prime Minister considers appropriate, any direction under this section (and any revocation of such a direction) except so far as it appears to the Prime Minister that such publication would be contrary to the public interest or prejudicial to—
- (a)national security,
- (b)the prevention or detection of serious crime,
- (c)the economic well-being of the United Kingdom, or
- (d)the continued discharge of the functions of any public authority whose activities include activities that are subject to review by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.
Amended text
This Section is shown as amended by Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (see the annotations below), as incorporated in the text in force on 7 October 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.
Annotations
Textual Amendments
- F1 Word in s. 230(1) omitted (14.10.2024) by virtue of Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (c. 9), ss. 10(3)(a), 32(2); S.I. 2024/1021, reg. 2(j)
- F2 S. 230(1)(d) and word inserted (14.10.2024) by Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (c. 9), ss. 10(3)(b), 32(2); S.I. 2024/1021, reg. 2(j)
Commencement Information
- I1 S. 230 in force at 13.2.2017 by S.I. 2017/137, reg. 2(f)
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-230.html
Text as at 7 October 2026.
This is an unofficial convenience version of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in October 2026.