The Government has appointed five lay members to join the
Security Vetting Appeals Panel (SVAP).
The SVAP is an advisory
non-departmental public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office. It
provides a final means of challenging a decision to refuse or
withdraw national security vetting.
It is available to hear appeals from individuals in government
departments, the armed forces, the police and other
organisations, or from those employed by contractors of those
departments and organisations, who have been through the relevant
internal appeal process and had their appeal rejected.
The SVAP currently has
10 sitting members: a chair, a deputy chair, and eight lay
members. Five new lay members have been appointed, replacing
members whose terms had come to an end.
The new appointees are:
Matthew Parr: A senior public servant who has undertaken roles as
His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and of Fire and Rescue
Services. He was previously a senior officer in the Royal Navy.
Delroy Henry: Currently His Majesty's Area Coroner for the
Coronial Area of Coventry & Warwickshire.
Suzy Walton: A board director with expertise in corporate
governance, regulation, health, education, science and human
behaviour. Suzy has previously worked in the Cabinet Office.
Tracey Tuffuor Oppong: A solicitor with expertise in civil
litigation, public law, high profile inquest and public
inquiries.
Mary Calam: An non-executive director, board adviser and
consultant, with expertise in governance and risk and
experience working in public and private sectors.
Lay members are responsible for reviewing decisions to refuse or
withdraw security clearance and the process
involved. SVAP makes
recommendations to the head of the department or organisation
involved. SVAP recommendations
are not binding though in practice they are almost invariably
followed.
