Appointment, status and term of office
1. The Department shall appoint a person to be the Ombudsman.
2. The Ombudsman is not to be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.
3.—(1) A person appointed as Ombudsman holds office for such term, not exceeding 7 years, as may be specified in the terms of appointment.
(2) At the end of that term the person concerned is not eligible for re-appointment.
4.—(1) A person holding office as Ombudsman may resign that office by notice in writing to the Department.
(2) A person holding office as Ombudsman may be removed from office by the Department if the Department is satisfied that the person—
(a)is incapable for medical or other reasons of performing the functions of the office;
(b)has, without reasonable excuse, failed to discharge the functions of the office for a continuous period of 3 months;
(c)is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or a debt relief restrictions order;
(d)has been convicted of a criminal offence; or
(e)is otherwise unable, unfit or unwilling to perform the functions of the office.