Eleanor Lyons

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Eleanor Lyons is the United Kingdom Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

She was appointed for a three-year term on 11 October 2023 by the Home Secretary at the time, Suella Braverman.[1] She assumed the post on 11 December 2023 after completion of her role as Deputy Children's Commissioner.[1] Lyons succeeded Sara Thornton.[2]

Lyons was the director for the public relations and political consultancy Portland Communications from November 2019 to July 2020.[1] Lyons was a special adviser to the Defence Secretary and Chief Whip Gavin Williamson and Prime Minister Boris Johnson between November 2017 and July 2019.[1][2]

Lyons's appointment was criticised by Labour MP Jess Phillips who described her as a "Conservative patsy who will do whatever they want" as the post of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner had been previously held by "experts and senior police officers". Phillips said that the government " ... couldn't possibly have anyone who knows anything about slavery because no one who knew anything about it would tell the government they were doing a good job. They are scared and inexperienced and are happy to fail British children being trafficked in ever higher numbers and women being brought here to be repeatedly raped".[2]

In February 2024 Lyons said that her budget would be reduced by 5% for every year that she held her post. She also had no permanent staff in 2024 and needed "special permission" to recruit staff from outside the Home Office.[3] In August 2025 Lyons launched an investigation into websites that offer adult services.[4] She said that such websites were a "hotbed for trafficking" and would have a "full call for evidence on why these websites are so damaging. At a bare minimum, they should be far more heavily regulated".[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Home Secretary announces new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  2. ^ a b c Syal, Rajeev; Taylor, Diane (11 October 2023). "Labour accuses new antislavery watchdog of being 'Conservative patsy'". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  3. ^ Das, Shanti (30 March 2024). "'If you want to abuse your workers, that's fine': UK modern slavery watchdog's funding cut". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b Gentlemen, Amelia (30 August 2025). "UK anti-slavery commissioner launches investigation into 'pimping websites'". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2025.