 During that period, a decision was made within the department of professional standards to use the Official Secrets Act to compel "The Guardian" to reveal its sources regarding the News International phone hacking scandal.The order was swiftly rescinded five days prior to Hogan-Howe's formal term of office.Hogan-Howe applied for the position of Commissioner himself in August 2011 along with other candidates, and was successful in being selected for the post on 12 September 2011 after appearing before a panel of the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London and receiving the approval of the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, before he was formally appointed by the Queen, with effect from 26 September.