54Disclosure of information
(1)A person may disclose information to a relevant authority for a purpose specified in subsection (2).
(2)The purposes are purposes connected with any of these—
(a)compliance with the code issued under section 32;
(b)compliance with sections 35 to 44;
(c)the carrying out of the functions of the Commissioner.
(3)These are relevant authorities—
(a)a person required to do anything under the code issued under section 32;
(b)a local probation board established under section 4 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43);
(c)the Commissioner;
(d)an authority within the Commissioner’s remit.
(4)The Secretary of State may by order—
(a)amend subsection (2) by adding any purpose appearing to him to be connected with the assistance of victims of offences or anti-social behaviour, witnesses of offences or anti-social behaviour or other persons affected by offences or anti-social behaviour;
(b)amend subsection (3) by adding any authority appearing to him to exercise functions of a public nature.
(5)The reference in subsection (4)(a) to persons affected by offences does not include persons accused or convicted of offences.
(6)The Secretary of State may exercise the power in subsection (4) only after consulting the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor.
(7)Nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure which contravenes the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29).
(8)This section does not affect a power to disclose which exists apart from this section.