"EXCLUSIVE-UK anti-slavery drive 'thwarted' by failure to replace commissioner: sources", 12 December 2018

Britain's efforts... in fighting modern slavery have been "thwarted" by a failure to replace its anti-slavery chief who resigned seven months ago citing government interference...

Kevin Hyland was appointed as the inaugural independent commissioner in 2014 as part of Britain's landmark Modern Slavery Act, but he resigned in May...

"The office has been thwarted (by the delay)... totally prevented from doing new work, taking the next steps on existing projects, and keeping up pressure on the government," said a former staffer who worked under Hyland... The former staffer said the team had stalled in efforts to push for better support to slavery victims and improve a legal requirement for big firms to report their anti-slavery measures.

The Home Office... has advertised twice to replace Hyland... "A recruitment campaign is currently underway and we look forward to appointing Kevin Hyland's successor in the new year," the ministry said... adding that work against slavery is continuing without a commissioner in place...