Justice Minister extends appointment of Independent Assessor of PSNI Recruitment Vetting

Justice Minister David Ford has extended the appointment of The Rt Hon Sir Anthony Campbell as Independent Assessor of PSNI Recruitment Vetting for a period of six months.

The Independent Assessor is responsible for reviewing the appeals of candidates against decisions of the police vetting panel, where it deems a candidate unsuitable for appointment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Sir Anthony Campbell first took up the post in May 2008 and was re-appointed in 2012 for a four year term until 30 April 2016. The extended term will mean that he will continue to serve as Independent Assessor until 31 October 2016.

David Ford said: “Since taking up his appointment, Sir Anthony has carried out the duties of this important appeals mechanism to a very high standard. I am pleased that Sir Anthony has agreed to continue in this role for a further six months until such times as his successor is appointed.

“Arrangements are being made for the launch of an appointment campaign to appoint his successor and I plan to announce this process in due course.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The appointment is made under regulation 13 of the Police (Recruitment)(Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001. The regulations set out the functions of the Independent Assessor.

2. The Independent Assessor is responsible for reviewing appeals relating to the appointment of police officers and PSNI support staff.

3. Schedule 3 of the Police (Recruitment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001 requires the holder of the post to have held judicial office within the United Kingdom.

4. The post has a retainer fee of £8,250 plus a per diem paid in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Part-Time Judiciary and Tribunal Appointments.

5. The Rt Hon Sir Anthony Campbell is a retired Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland. Educated at Campbell College, Belfast and Queens’ College, Cambridge, he was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1960 and to the Bar of England and Wales (Gray’s Inn) in the same year.

6. In 1988, he was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Northern Ireland. He became a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1998 and was appointed Privy Counsellor in February 1999.

7. The post holder also fulfils two other public roles - Sentence Review Commissioner under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 and Commissioner for hearings under the rule 109B of the Prison Rules. Remuneration for both positions is by way of a per diem fee.

8. Sir Anthony’s term has been extended for a period of six months until 31 October 2016 and this extension has been made in accordance with the CPANI Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointee to be published. Sir Anthony Campbell has declared no political activity.

9. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

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