The Information Commission is to release a package of measures aimed at preventing companies withholding crucial information because of data protection rules.

It is hoped the measures will prevent criminals such as Ian Huntley (pictured) getting access to children through work.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has promised to produce clear guidelines for firms about the rules set out in the Data Protection Act 1998.

The commission’s helpline will be improved and it has promised to issue advice in plain English.

“It is ridiculous that organisations should hide behind data protection as a smokescreen for practices that no reasonable person would ever find acceptable,” said Thomas.

Humberside Police had blamed the act for failing to pass on data about Soham child killer Huntley – who got a job as a school caretaker – to education authorities.

Although Huntley had never been charged with a sexual offence prior to his murder trial, police had investigated rape allegations against him.

But a spokeswoman for the commission said data protection rules were very complicated and each case would have to be considered individually.

She added: “People should come to us and then we would make a decision. We have enforcement powers and we can make people release information if necessary. But it is not straightforward – that is the whole issue.”

Any agency being denied information about a candidate on the basis of data protection should contact the commission’s special helpline on 01625 545 745.

Agencies discovering candidates are unsuitable for a job already have to pass these details on to employers.