Secretary of State announces re-appointment of Independent Reviewer and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee on Protection
Latest appointment by Secretary of State
The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Julian Smith CBE MP, has today announced the renewal of the appointment of His Honour Brian Barker CBE QC as the Independent Reviewer of National Security Arrangements and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee on Protection (NICOP).
Mr Barker’s appointment will be renewed for a further period of up to one year, from 1 February 2020.
Note to Editors
Background
NICOP was established in 2009 to determine the policy in relation to the provision of close armed protection to individuals living in Northern Ireland. It makes recommendations to the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who has operational responsibility for the provision of close protection. The Independent Reviewer of National Security Arrangements in Northern Ireland reviews annually the operation of the arrangements for national security matters, further to Annex E of the St Andrews Agreement.
Terms of appointment
Length of Appointment: Up to one year from 1 February 2020
Remuneration: £848 per day
Pension: The position is not pensionable
Time Requirements: Approximately 3-4 days per month
Political Activity
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories within the last five years to be made public. Mr Barker has not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
Regulation
This appointment is not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.