Difference between revisions of "David Veness"

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[[Image:David Veness.jpg|right|thumb|200px|David Veness]]'''David Christopher Veness''' (born 20 September 1947) was Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 1994 to 2005 and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security for the United Nations until 2008.
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==Career==
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[[Image:David Veness.jpg|right|thumb|200px|David Veness]]'''Sir David Christopher Veness, CBE, QPM''' (born 20 September 1947) was the [[Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations]] of the Metropolitan Police from 1994 to 2005 and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security for the United Nations until 2008.
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===Policing and counterterrorism===
 
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Veness attended Raynes Park County Grammar School and joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps in 1964. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1966 and became a CID officer in 1969. In the early 1970s he attended Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1975. <ref>‘VENESS, Sir David (Christopher)’, ''Who's Who 2008'', A & C Black, 2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007</ref> 
 
  
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Veness trained as a hostage negotiator in 1979, he was one of the negotiating team at the Iranian Embassy siege (1980) and led the negotiations at the Libyan Peoples Bureau incident in 1984. He was an instructor and then Director of the Scotland Yard Negotiators Course between 1980 and 1987. <ref>United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sga903.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom]’</ref>
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==Career: Policing and counter-terrorism==
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===1964-2001===
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* Veness attended Raynes Park County Grammar School and joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps in 1964. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1966 and became a CID officer in 1969. In the early 1970s he attended Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1975.<ref name="whoswho">‘VENESS, Sir David (Christopher)’, ''Who's Who 2008'', A & C Black, 2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007.</ref>
  
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In early 1987 he reportedly set up a specialist unit SO 10 (not to be confused with the undercover unit SO 10 formed in 1989) whose official job was providing ‘logistical support for crime operations’ but in fact was set up to specialize in handling sieges and cases requiring delicate negotiating skills or special planning. <ref>Robert Fisk, ‘Hostage deal gives gunmen safe passage’, ''The Times'', 21 April 1988</ref>  
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* October 1979 - October 1980: Detective Chief Inspector (at age of 33) as head of CID at Kensington Police Station (then part of 'B Area'), overseeing an area with a high concentration of diplomatic embassies. He answered to Commander George Rushbrook.<ref name="gill"/> He became the Principal Investigation Officer leading the inquiry into the disappearance of Martin Allen, a 15 year boy who vanished at King's Cross station in November 1979 and has not been seen since.<ref name="gill">Anton Gill, ''Martin Allen is missing'', Corgi Childrens, 1984</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1237974/Parents-Martin-Allen-disappeared-30-years-ago-make-final-plea-information.html 'Thirty years on, we still don't know who abducted our son': Parents of Martin Allen make final plea for information], ''Daily Mail'', 23 December 2009 (accessed 14 July 2015).</ref> His disappearance has since been linked with the paedophile ring surrounding the Elm Street guesthouse, though inconclusively.<ref>Martin Hickman, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-failings-put-dozens-of-children-at-risk-from-notorious-paedophile-ring-8518522.html Police failings put dozens of children at risk from notorious paedophile ring], ''The Independent'', 3 March 2013 (accessed 14 July 2015).</ref> After his promotion to Superintendent, Veness maintained links with the Allen family.<ref name="express.1982">Family wait and fear for news of schoolboy son, ''Daily Express'', 7 March 1982, reproduced at [https://spotlightonabuse.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/martin-allen-missing-since-5th-november-1979/ Martin Allen: Missing since 5th November 1979], ''Spotlight On Abuse'' (blog), 1 September 2014 (accessed 14 July 2015).</ref> and remained with oversight of the investigation despite several promotions.<ref name="gill"/>
  
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In October 1987 Veness was appointed a Police Commander, and served with Royalty and Diplomatic Protection until 1990.  During this period, he was also responsible for security arrangements at major State and ceremonial events.  After attendance at the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1990, he became Commander Public Order, Territorial Security and Operational Support. <ref>United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sga903.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom]’</ref>
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* Veness trained as a hostage negotiator in 1979, he was a member of the negotiating team at the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in South Kensington. He was an instructor and then Director of the Scotland Yard Negotiators Course between 1980 and 1987.<ref name="un-press-release">United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sga903.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom]’</ref>
  
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In 1991 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner and headed the specialist crime squads at Scotland Yard, which included serious, organised and international crime, the fraud squad, the Flying Squad, criminal intelligence and force firearms. <ref>‘[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4135621.stm Sir David Veness: Mr Security]’, BBC News Online, 31 December 2004</ref> According to Veness the job involved “responsibility within the Metropolitan Police area, effectively Greater London, for serious crimes, murders, kidnapping and other offences of that ilk.” <ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session]</ref> In April 1994 was appointed Assistant Commissioner, a position he held until 2005. <ref>‘VENESS, Sir David (Christopher)’, ''Who's Who 2008'', A & C Black, 2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007</ref> He assumed charge of all “specialist operations” including protection, terrorism, security and organised crime. <ref>‘[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4135621.stm Sir David Veness: Mr Security]’, BBC News Online, 31 December 2004</ref> Veness described this position as “slightly more senior level and a broadened responsibility, which mainly encompassed security protection and counter-terrorism.” <ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session]</ref>
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* 1981-1982: raised to rank of Detective Superintendent.<ref name="express.1982"/> and around this time served at Scotland Yard in the Complaints Bureau.<ref name="gill"/>
  
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In all these roles Veness worked closely with the UK Government and the Security Services. Appearing as a witness in the Diana Inquest, he was asked about his connections with the security services:
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* 1981-1983: Det. Supt., Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Patrick Kavanagh.<ref>Police and Constabulary Almanac 1982 edition, R Hazell & Co.</ref><ref>Police and Constabulary Almanac 1983 edition, R Hazell & Co.</ref>
  
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<blockquote style="background-color:ivory;border:1pt solid Darkgoldenrod;padding:1%;font-size:10pt">Q. You had pretty close connections with the security services, didn't you, during the whole of your career?<p>A. Particularly in relation to my duties in connection with terrorism, that was an implicit part of my duties.</p><p>Q. Yes, but beyond that, whilst you were at the fraud squad? </p><p>A. In general terms, my career has included hostage negotiation activities and counter-terrorism, which inevitably involves a range of Government services.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Q. Even as I have put it to you, in those days [on the fraud squad], you had close connections with the security services, didn't you?</p><p>A. Yes. I am not in any way denying that. My specific role at that time…was that I was the director of the hostage negotiation training programme, which involved connection with a range of different Government entities because it included terrorism and like matters. <ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session] paragraphs 67-68</ref></p></blockquote>
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* September 1983: promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent.<ref name="gill"/>
  
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After September 11th, Veness sent police officers to train in Israel.  The BBC reported that, “Following the attacks on the United States, Sir David wasted little time in formulating the UK's response. Officers were dispatched to Israel, where they learned about the threat posed by, and tactics to counter, suicide bombers.” <ref>‘[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4135621.stm Sir David Veness: Mr Security]’, BBC News Online, 31 December 2004</ref>
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* 1984-1986: one of the Detective Chief Superintendents at Metropolitan and City Police Company Fraud Branch (C6), based at Richbell Place, London.<ref>Police and Constabulary Almanac 1984, 1985 and 1986 editions, R Hazell & Co.</ref>
  
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In February 2005 Veness retired from the Metropolitan Police. <ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session]</ref>
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* 1984: led the negotiations at the Libyan Peoples Bureau incident in 19.<ref name="un-press-release"/>
  
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===After retirement===
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* In early 1987 he reportedly set up a specialist unit SO10 (not to be confused with the undercover unit SO10 formed in 1989) whose official job was providing ‘logistical support for crime operations’ but in fact was set up to specialize in handling sieges and cases requiring delicate negotiating skills or special planning.<ref>Robert Fisk, ‘Hostage deal gives gunmen safe passage’, ''The Times'', 21 April 1988.</ref>  
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In January 2005, the United Nations announced that Veness had been appointed Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan and would assume his functions on 28 February 2005. <ref>United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sga903.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom]’</ref>
 
  
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On 24 June 2008 Veness resigned his position at the UN. His resignation coincided with the publication of an inquiry into the UN security system which found that that the bombing of the UN office in Algiers on 11 December 2007 came after numerous internal UN warnings about a attack. <ref>James Bone, ‘[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4207819.ece Sir David Veness quits as head of UN security over Algiers bombing]’, ''The Times'', 25 June 2008</ref>
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* In October 1987 Veness was appointed a Police Commander, and served with Royalty and Diplomatic Protection until 1990. During this period, he was also responsible for security arrangements at major State and ceremonial events. After attendance at the [[Royal College of Defence Studies]] in 1990, he became Commander Public Order, Territorial Security and Operational Support.<ref name="un-press-release"></ref>
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* In October 1991 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations - Crime/Operations)<ref>Appointments, ''The Times'', 19 October 1991 (accessed via Nexis).</ref><ref>Police and Constabulary Almanac, R Hazell & Co, 1992.</ref> and headed the specialist crime squads at Scotland Yard, which included serious, organised and international crime, the fraud squad, the Flying Squad, criminal intelligence and force firearms.<ref name="mr-security">‘[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4135621.stm Sir David Veness: Mr Security]’, BBC News Online, 31 December 2004.</ref> According to Veness the job involved 'responsibility within the Metropolitan Police area, effectively Greater London, for serious crimes, murders, kidnapping and other offences of that ilk.'<ref name="diana-inquest-1">Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session]</ref>
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* In April 1994 Veness was appointed Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations), a position he held until 2005.<ref name="whoswho" /> He assumed charge of all 'specialist operations' including protection, terrorism, security and organised crime.<ref name="mr-security"></ref> Veness described this position as 'slightly more senior level and a broadened responsibility, which mainly encompassed security protection and counter-terrorism.'<ref name="diana-inquest-1"></ref> As such he would have overseen SO12, better known as [[Special Branch]].
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In all these roles Veness worked closely with the UK Government and the Security Services. Appearing as a witness in the Diana Inquest, he provided a rare public admittance of collaboration between the police and the security services:
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:Q. You had pretty close connections with the security services, didn't you, during the whole of your career?<br>A. Particularly in relation to my duties in connection with terrorism, that was an implicit part of my duties.<ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session] paragraphs 67-68.</ref>
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=== After 9/11 ===
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Following the events of 11 September 2001, Veness oversaw the response of the Metropolitan Police in reinforcing the national counter-terrorism capability. In this he was supported by Commander [[Robert_Quick | Bob Quick]]<ref name="leveson-bob-quick">Robert Quick, [http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Witness-Statement-of-Bob-Quick.pdf Witness Statement of Robert Quick to the Leveson Inquiry], 13 February 2012.</ref> and his Deputy Assistant Commissioner [[Barbara Wilding]].
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In 2002, he established [[Operation Kratos]] under Wilding which sent officers around the world with the view to developing new tactics for dealing with suicide bombers, including training in Israel.<ref name="mr-security"></ref> Kratos was taken over by ACPO's [[Terrorism and Allied Matters]] board in January 2003 and subsequently became national policy.<ref>[http://www.julyseventh.co.uk/j7-jean-charles-de-menezes-inquest/de-menezes-inquest-transcripts/nov_05.pdf Evidence of Sir Michael Wright], Jean Charles de Menezes inquest hearings], 5 November 2008.</ref> Veness is also credited with introducing the phrase DADA - 'Deterimined And Deadly Attack<ref>Frank Gregory, [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lhFdrwYT-tsC Police and counter-terrorism in the UK], published in ''Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attack Since 9/11'', Paul Wilkinson (ed), 2007, Taylor &amp; Francis.</ref> - and Operation Kratos 'outlines what level of force officers can use to thwart' such an attack, including shoot to kill.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/20/international/europe/20london-wire.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0 London Police Maintain 'Shoot-to-Kill' Policy], ''New York Times'', 20 August 2005, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
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Veness also took a role in countering dissident republican terrorism in London, from setting up CCTV and ANPR in Canary Wharf following the 1996 Docklands bombing<ref>Kevin Smith, Head of ANPR, in [http://www.metbpa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Black-History-Month-booklet-2013.pdf Influencing and Managing Change: Celebrating Black History Month 2013], Metropolitan Black Police Association, 2013, accessed March 2014</ref> to warning against potential threats from the Real IRA in the city in 2001.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1321753.stm Real IRA: Met fears worse to come], ''BBC News Online'', 10 May 2001, accessed March 2014.</ref>
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In 2003 he was selected to represent the UK<ref>Paul Kelso, [http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jul/09/Olympics2012.politics3 Nowhere will be safer than London says Livingstone], ''The Guardian'', 9 July 2005.</ref> on a seven nation Security Advisory Group for the 2004 Athens Olympics.<ref>[http://www.gao.gov/assets/160/157448.pdf Combating Terrorism: Interagency Framework and Agency Programs to Address the Overseas Threat (GAO-03-165)], ''United States General Accounting Office'', May 2003. '' 'Security planning for the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens is a multilateral effort. The Greek Government requested Olympic security expertise from seven countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Israel, Germany and Australia. These countries make up the Olympic Security Advisory Group, which reports to the Greek Minister of Public Order on security issues at the strategic level. The group also provides advice on technical support issues at the operational level. The range of issues includes intelligence, planning, training and exercises, technology, command and control coordination, and venue security.' ''</ref>
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=== Knighthood and retirement ===
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On receiving a knighthood in 2005, it was said of Veness:
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:He is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding expert in the fields of combating terrorism, responding to organised and international crime, and hostage negotiation.[...]<br/>AC David Veness has made an enormous contribution to the capital's fight against terrorism and is an important national police figure, central to combating terrorism and its associated threats. He has personally directed a significant number of complex and highly sensitive investigations into terrorism that have produced very significant high-profile prosecutions.<br/>He was responsible for the co-ordination of the massive police response needed in the aftermath of the 11 September attack on New York and Washington, and through this work is an exemplary ambassador for the Police Service of the United Kingdom with an unparalleled knowledge in this specialist area.<ref>Metropolitan Police, [http://content.met.police.uk/News/Met-personnel-honoured-by-the-Queen/1260267683908/1257246745756 Met personnel honoured by the Queen], press release, 10 January 2005, accessed 12 March 2014.</ref>
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In February 2005, Veness retired from the Metropolitan Police.<ref>Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, [http://www.scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk/hearing_transcripts/150108am.htm Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session]</ref> He was succeeded as Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations by his longtime colleague [[Andy Hayman]].<ref>Mark Tran, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/04/menezes.terrorism Anti-terror chief dogged by controversy], ''The Guardian'', 4 December 2007, accessed 12 March 2014.</ref>
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==Oversight of undercover work==
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As head of [[Special Operations]] Veness oversaw various units including counter-terrorism and the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] (SDS), which targeted protestors. In this role Veness knew and worked closely with [[Bob Lambert]] of the SDS. The two men would have a long association, including through the work of the Muslim Safety Forum, and, after both had left the Police, at the  [[Centre_for_the_Study_of_Terrorism_and_Political_Violence | Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]] (see below).
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By October 2004, Veness was secretary of the ACPO's [[Terrorism and Allied Matters]] (TAM) board.<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldselect/ldeucom/53/4102704.htm EU Counter Terrorism Arrangements, Examination of Witnesses (Questions 33-39)], Select Committee on European Union, 27 October 2004.</ref> At the time, TAM was running the reorganised national domestic extremism units, including, including the [[National Public Order Intelligence Unit]] and its infiltration of protest movements during the time of [[Mark Kennedy]] and others. A number of Veness's subordinate officers would go on to join the TAM board, including his former deputy Bob Quick who was its chair in 2008-2009.<ref name="leveson-bob-quick" />
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In a notable incident earlier in his career, in July 1992, Veness along with Commander [[Roy Ramm]] seconded fellow DAC [[Ian Johnston]]'s authorisation of the use of an undercover policewoman to get close to Colin Stagg in the Rachel Nickell murder enquiry.<ref>Michael Sean Gillard, Geoff Seed and Laurie Flynn, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/sep/02/8 I was set up, says Nickell detective], ''The Guardian'', 2 September 1999. For more information on this case see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Rachel_Nickell Wikipedia].</ref> Johnston would go on to act as Condon's trusted lieutenant in matters relating to the Stephen Lawrence murder, including delivering Condon's apology over the role of the Metropolitan police in the Lawrence murder inquiry, including his own 'obstinancy'<ref>[http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/bulletin/pdfs/313BulletinAug98.pdf The Runnymede Bulletin], August 1998, p.5, accessed March 2014.</ref>, before heading up the British Transport Police.
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==Police corruption,the CIB and the Stephen Lawrence murder==
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1993 saw the start of a major push against police corruption particularly that associated with the [[South East Regional Crime Squad]] (some of whose members would be later implicated in the [[News of the World]] hacking scandal). This invesigation was run by the [[Complaints Investigations Branch]] (CIB), and part of this included the formation of a secretive anti-corruption unit even within this known as [[CIB3]], or 'Ghost Squad'. Veness appears to have been integral to this anti-corruption drive, working closely with the Metropolitan Police's [[Professional Standards Unit]]. As such he was part of a group of officers that included all three of his subsequent successors as Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations: [[Andy Hayman]], [[Robert Quick | Bob Quick]] and [[John Yates]]. These three would repeatedly interlink in subsequent scandals, including police corruption, the [[Stephen Lawrence]] murder inquiry, the News of the World hacking and the domestic extremism units.
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In 1996, Veness' deputy as part of anti-corruption operations was Det. Supt. [[Chris Jarratt]], who headed up intelligence and covert operations at CIB. Jarrett had also taken over the inquiry into murder of leading informant David Norris (a different individual to the David Norris later convicted for the murder of Stephen Lawrence), whom at some point in 1989-91 Veness had gone to meet in person to authorise the signing of payments.<ref name="untouchables">Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012, p. 66. </ref> [[Ian Crampton]], one of the officers overseeing both the David Norris and Stephen Lawrence murder investigations, was godfather to one of Jarratt's sons. Jarrett was also later implicated in the smearing of [[Ali Dizaei]], while he was answerable to Andy Hayman.<ref>Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012, p. 281. </ref>
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Operation Athena was the name given to the strategic reponse of the Metropolitan Police's [[Racial and Violent Crime Task Force]] (headed by Dept Assist. Commissioner [[John Grieve]]) in the wake of the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.<ref>[http://policeauthority.org/metropolitan/committees/x-eodb/2007/070308/11/index.html Operation Athena, Report 11], Metropolitan Police Authority, accessed 1 Mar 2014.</ref> Part of this was [[Operation Athena Tower]], which targeted suspects in the murder. Veness played a role in this particular operation in the years 1999-2003, including sanctioning the bugging of one of the accused and insertion of an undercover officer to target him.<ref>Stephen Wright, [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081901/Stephen-Lawrence-trial-Police-bugged-killers-homes-cars-pubs.html Police bugged Lawrence killers' homes, cars, pubs and snooker halls], ''The Daily Mail'', 4 January 2012, accessed March 2014.</ref> He seems to have taken a close interest in this project, appearing as a source in a 2001 paper on hate crime.<ref>Joseph Kibitlewski and Kelly B. Shaw, [http://www.criminaljustice.co.uk/Xenophobia.htm Hate, Hate Groups and Hate Crimes: Fighting Xenophobia in the European Union], 2001.</ref>
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However, as head of Specialist Operations, Veness was (through [[Bob Lambert]]) in the chain of command for the placing of [[Peter Francis]] and undercover officer N8I targeting the Lawrences<ref>Mick Creedon, [http://www.met.police.uk/pressbureau/z0_Herne/Operation%20Herne%20-%20Report%202%20-%20%20Allegations%20of%20Peter%20Francis%20-%2006-03-2014.pdf Operation Trinity - Allegations of Peter Francis], ''Operation Herne - Report 2'', 6 March 2014, p. 18. It is explicitly noted that the SDS came under the aegis of the Metropolitan Police's Special Branch, part of Specialist Operations, run by Veness during the timeframe concerned. See also: Mark Ellison, [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287031/stephen_lawrence_review_volume_1.pdf The Stephen Lawrence Independent Review], Vol. 1, p. 233, which quotes from Commander Barry Moss, head of Special Branch at the time, that he both oversaw the SDS and was answerable to AC Veness.</ref>, whilst simultaneously helping the anti-corruption drive targeting a number of officers around the Lawrence inquiry.<ref>Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012. Veness is named as part of the inner circle who under Commissioner Paul Condon were responsible for setting up the unit CIB3 to target corrupt police (p.25). Among their targets was Sgt. John Davidson who was part of the original Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry (p. 170). See also: Mark Ellison, [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287031/stephen_lawrence_review_volume_1.pdf The Stephen Lawrence Independent Review], Vol. 1, Chapter 5.4.</ref>
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==The Muslim Safety Forum==
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As part of his counter-terrorism work following the September 11 attacks, Veness developed a keen interest in the Muslim community. In particular, from 2001-03, he or his deputy regularly chaired meetings of the monthly [[Muslim Safety Forum]] (MSF). As a forum it allowed leading representatives of the Muslim community in London to meet with senior officers from the Metropolitan police and ACPO. From 2002, The MSF was also regularly attended by [[Bob Lambert]] and others of the "counter-terrorism focused" [[Muslim Contact Unit]] (MCU) (then part of [[Special Branch]], which Veness oversaw).<ref name="msf">Robert Lambert, [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7SfSdKLX-RcC The Muslim Safety Forum: Senior Police and Muslim Community Engagement during the War on Terror''], published in ''Preventing Ideological Violence: Communities, Police and Case Studies of "Success"'', P. Daniel Silk, Basia Spalek &amp; Mary O'Rawe (editors), 2013.</ref> From an article written by Lambert on the MSF, it appears that Lambert and Veness were in close contact at this point:
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:...Veness emphasized on the small MCU team the importance of investing time at MSF meetings, ("be the first to arrive and the last to leave")...<ref name="msf" />
  
 
==Think tanks and policy world==
 
==Think tanks and policy world==
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Veness has been closely associated with the [[Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]] (CSTPV) at the [[Terrorexpertise:University of St. Andrews|University of St. Andrews]], which is one of the key research centres in the ‘Terrorism Industry’. Veness is known to have been briefed by [[CSTPV]] whilst still Assistant Commissioner, <ref>John Upton, ‘[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v26/n02/upto01_.html In the Streets of Londonistan]’, London Review of Books, 22 January 2004</ref> and after retirement he became actively involved in the Centre. He was appointed Honorary Professor of Terrorism Studies at the [[Terrorexpertise:University of St. Andrews|University of St. Andrews]] <ref>[[Media:Screen grab of CSTPV Staff.JPG|Screengrab]] of CSPTV's website created 19 November 2008, 15:31:02 </ref> and since at least 2006, he has been a member of the [[St. Andrews Terrorism Studies Programme Board|Terrorism Studies Programme Board]] at the university which overseas the development of [[CSTPV|CSTPV’s]] E-Learning courses.
 
  
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In 1999 Veness wrote a paper ‘Low intensity and high impact conflict’ for a special issue of the [[CSTPV]] dominated journal ''[[Terrorism and Political Violence]]''.  The papers in the journal were based on a conference attended by the authors at University College Cork from 3-5 March 1999, the [[Future Developments in Terrorism Conference]]. <ref>Maxwell Taylor, John Horgan, (eds.) The Future of Terrorism (Routledge, 2000) p.1</ref> In September 2001 Veness wrote a paper for the journal ''[[Studies in Conflict and Terrorism]]'', which was also based on a conference he had attended. <ref>''[[Studies in Conflict and Terrorism]]'' Volume 24, Number 5, 1 September 2001</ref> Another notable contributor in that issue was [[Bruce Hoffman]], [[terrorexpertise:RAND Corporation|RAND’s]] chief terrorism expert and the co-founder of the [[Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]]. Veness later wrote a foreword for another issue of ''[[Terrorism and Political Violence]]'' which was published in 2005. <ref>''Terrorism and Political Violence'', Volume: 17 Issue: 1-2 Pages: 1-2, 2005</ref> He spoke at the [[International Terrorism and Intelligence 2004]], which was hosted by [[CSTPV]].
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===Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence===
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* Veness has been closely associated with the [[Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]] (CSTPV) at the [[Terrorexpertise:University of St. Andrews|University of St. Andrews]], one of the key research centres in the ‘Terrorism Industry’. He is known to have been briefed by [[CSTPV]] whilst still Assistant Commissioner,<ref>John Upton, ‘[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v26/n02/upto01_.html In the Streets of Londonistan]’, London Review of Books, 22 January 2004.</ref> and after retirement he became actively involved in the Centre. He was appointed Honorary Professor of Terrorism Studies at the [[Terrorexpertise:University of St. Andrews|University of St. Andrews]]<ref>[[Media:Screen grab of CSTPV Staff.JPG|Screengrab]] of CSPTV's website created 19 November 2008, 15:31:02.</ref> and since at least 2006, he has been a member of the [[St. Andrews Terrorism Studies Programme Board|Terrorism Studies Programme Board]] at the university which overseas the development of [[CSTPV|CSTPV’s]] E-Learning courses.
 +
 
 +
* In 1999 Veness wrote a paper ‘Low intensity and high impact conflict’ for a special issue of the [[CSTPV]] dominated journal ''[[Terrorism and Political Violence]]''.  The papers in the journal were based on a conference attended by the authors at University College Cork from 3-5 March 1999, the [[Future Developments in Terrorism Conference]].<ref>Maxwell Taylor, John Horgan, (eds.) The Future of Terrorism (Routledge, 2000) p.1.</ref> In September 2001 Veness wrote a paper for the journal ''[[Studies in Conflict and Terrorism]]'', which was also based on a conference he had attended.<ref>''[[Studies in Conflict and Terrorism]]'' Volume 24, Number 5, 1 September 2001.</ref> Another notable contributor in that issue was [[Bruce Hoffman]], [[terrorexpertise:RAND Corporation|RAND’s]] chief terrorism expert and the co-founder of the [[Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]]. Veness later wrote a foreword for another issue of ''[[Terrorism and Political Violence]]'', published in 2005.<ref>''Terrorism and Political Violence'', Volume: 17 Issue: 1-2 Pages: 1-2, 2005.</ref> He spoke at the [[International Terrorism and Intelligence 2004]], which was hosted by [[CSTPV]].
 +
 
 +
* Veness is also involved in the [[International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research]] as a member of its International Advisory Council that existed the first few years after the Centre was set up (at the website until late 2014).<ref name = IAC>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130721204546/http://www.pvtr.org/coreprojects_people.htm International Advisory Council]], ''Political Violence and Terrorism Research'', original site accessed 24 November 2014, now via archive.org The Council does not appear at the [http://www.rsis.edu.sg Centre's new website].</ref> This is copycat think-tank set up by [[CSTPV]] graduate [[Rohan Gunaratna]] as a specialist centre within the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Veness was at the Council along with former MI6 head [[Richard Dearlove]] and US ‘experts’ such as [[Bruce Hoffman]] and  [[Matthew Levitt]].<ref name = IAC/>
 +
 
 +
===Royal United Services Institute===
 +
 
 +
*Veness has a long standing relationship with the defence think-tank, the [[Royal_United_Services_Institute_for_Defence_Studies | Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies]] (RUSI), being member of its Council since at least 1995,<ref>[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03071849508445933?journalCode=rusi20 ‘RUSI Council Members’], ''The RUSI Journal'', Vol. 140 No. 4, 1995, published by Taylor &amp; Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref> and having become one of its Vice-Presidents by 2005.<ref>[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03071840508522910?journalCode=rusi20 ‘The Forum’], ''The RUSI Journal'', Vol. 150 No.1, 2005, published by Taylor &amp; Francis, accessed 22 November 2014.</ref>
 +
 
 +
* He has authored a number of articles for its publication, ''The RUSI Journal'', including 'Protecting against unconventional attack' (1998),<ref>David Veness, [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03071849808446323 ‘Protecting against unconventional attack’], ''The RUSI Journal'', Vol. 143 No. 6, 1998, published by Taylor &amp; Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>, ‘The Fight Against Terrorism: Achieving a New Balanced Normality’ (2003),<ref>David Veness, [https://www.rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f7dd9e99b/ ‘The Fight Against Terrorism: Achieving a New Balanced Normality’], ''The RUSI Journal'', Vol. 148 No. 4, August 2003, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref> and ‘The safety of the realm in retrospect and prospect’ (2003).<ref>David Veness, [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03071840308446903 ‘The safety of the realm in retrospect and prospect’], ''The RUSI Journal'', Vol. 148 No. 4, 2003, published by Taylor &amp; Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref> In 2009 he provided the foreword for the RUSI publication ''After the War on Terror''.<ref>Alex P Schmid &amp; Garry F Hindle (Eds.), [https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/After_The_War_On_Terror.pdf ''After The War On Terror''], RUSI Books, 2009.</ref><ref name="SCHMID ETC">Alex Schmid was the director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews from 2006 until 2011, during which time Bob Lambert was hired.</ref>
 +
 
 +
* Many of the other organisations he is a member of also have strong RUSI connections.
 +
 
 +
====Other writing on policy====
 +
 
 +
* Veness has  written for the [[Foreign Policy Centre]] (FPC), contributing to ''The Unlikely Counter-Terrorists'', which was published in 2002. ''The Unlikely Counter-Terrorists'' was sponsored by [[BAe Systems]], [[Control Risks Group]] and the [[Risk and Security Management Forum]]. Other contributors included [[John Bray]] of [[Control Risks Group]], corporate security executive [[Sally Leivesley]] and the [[terrorexpertise:BBC|BBC’s]] Director of News [[Richard Sambrook]].<ref name="briggs">Rachel Briggs (Ed.), ''[http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/45.pdf The Unlikely Counter-terrorists (PDF)]'' (Foreign Policy Centre, 11 December 2002) p.64.</ref> In the article, Veness calls for a separation of the twin roles of professional crime fighting and national security, as switching officers between them was counter-productive. One contributor complemented  Veness for having brought together London’s police with its business community:
 +
 
 +
::The Metropolitan Police area and the City of London are exemplary in terms of the good relations which exist and are developing between the business community and the police. It has been David Veness, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations at the Met, who brought the two together.<ref name="briggs" />
 +
 
 +
* In Veness 2001 was the author of 'Terrorism and Counterterrorism: An International Perspective' for the journal ''Studies in Conflict and Terrorism''.<ref>[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/105761001750434259 Terrorism and Counterterrorism: An International Perspective], ''Studies in Conflict and Terrorism'', 2001, Vol. 24, 2001, published by Taylor &amp; Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==After retirement==
 +
 
 +
===Security and intelligence consultant===
 +
 
 +
==== 2005 - 2008: UN Under-Secretary-general for Safety and Security====
 +
In January 2005, the [[United Nations]] announced that Veness had been appointed Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan.<ref>United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sga903.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom]’. Veness would formally take up his post on 28 February 2005.</ref> On 24 June 2008,
 +
 
 +
On 24 June 2008, Veness resigned his position after the publication of an inquiry into the suicide bombing of the UN office in Algiers on 11 December 2007 that killed 17 UN staff. The inquiry had found that the bombing came after numerous internal UN warnings about a terrorist attack by the al-Qaeda affiliate in the Maghreb. Veness stated that he 'was willing to shoulder full responsibility for any security lapses' that preceded the bombing.<ref>James Bone, [http://archive.is/4wJBe Sir David Veness quits as head of UN security over Algiers bombing], ''The Times'', 25 June 2008.</ref>
 +
 
 +
====2010: Chertoff Group====
 +
Veness subsequently joined in 2010 the [[Chertoff Group]],<ref>[http://www.chertoffgroup.com/press-releases-former-u-k-home-secretary-john-reid-joins-chertoff-group.php Former U.K. Home Secretary John Reid Joins Chertoff Group], Chertoff Group press release, 15 June 2010, accessed 24 November 2014.</ref> a US based firm working in the intelligence, security and risk management industries. Its directors and advisors lists some of the highest ranking former US government officials from intelligence and security agencies.<ref>[http://chertoffgroup.com/bios/david-veness.php Chertoff Group Team Mmbers], ChertoffGroup.com, accessed 1 March 2014.</ref> On the board with him is former Home Secretary and Minister of Defence, [[John Reid]]. Also associated with this company is [[Graham Carvell Love]], the former CFO of [[Defence Evaluation and Research Agency]], and CEO of [[QinetiQ]]. Their UK offices are based at 33 St James Street, London.<ref>[http://www.chertoffgroup.com/press-releases-the-chertoff-group-expands-international-reach.php The Chertoff Group Expands International Reach with Opening of London Office], Chertoff Group press release, 18 March 2010, accessed 1 Mar 2014.</ref>
  
−
Veness is also involved in the [[International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research]], a copy-cat think-tank set up by [[CSTPV]] graduate [[Rohan Gunaratna]]. Veness is a board member of [[Rohan Gunaratna| Gunaratna’s]] group along with former MI6 head [[Richard Dearlove]] and US ‘experts’ such as [[Bruce Hoffman]] and  [[Matthew Levitt]].
+
====London First====
 +
He is also chairman of the Security & Resilience Advisory Board at [[London First]], a business lobby organisation.<ref>[http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Sir-David-Veness.pdf London First biography], LondonFirst.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014</ref> His role includes promoting relationships between police and large business, and disseminating police security alerts.<ref>[http://londonfirst.co.uk/networks/security-and-resilience-network/library/ London First Security and Resilience Network online library], LondonFirst.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014.</ref> A colleague on this board is [[Andrew Trotter]] who had been deputy and subsequently succeeded [[Ian Johnston]] as Chief Constable of the [[British Transport Police]].<ref> [http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Security-Resilience-NetworkFV.pdf LondonFirst.co.uk], accessed 1 March 2014.</ref>
  
−
Veness has also written for the [[Foreign Policy Centre]] (FPC), contributing to ''The Unlikely Counter-Terrorists'', which was published in 2002. ''The Unlikely Counter-Terrorists'' was sponsored by [[BAe Systems]], [[Control Risks Group]] and the [[Risk and Security Management Forum]]. Other contributors included [[John Bray]] of [[Control Risks Group]], corporate security executive [[Sally Leivesley]] and the [[terrorexpertise:BBC|BBC’s]] Director of News [[Richard Sambrook]]. <ref>Rachel Briggs (Ed.), ''[http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/45.pdf The Unlikely Counter-terrorists (PDF)]'' (Foreign Policy Centre, 11 December 2002) p.64</ref> One contributor complemented  Veness for having brought together London’s police with its business community:
+
==== 2011: Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications====
 +
In addition to that, Veness is one of the founders<ref>Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, [http://www.vocal.co.uk/cssc/about-cssc/founders/ Founders], organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref> and Co-Chair of the Executive Board of [[Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications]], set up in June 2011 "by a team of senior security experts, with the aim of building a platform to facilitate communications between private and public sector on issues surrounding security and business resilience." Originally set up to help business prepare for the Olympics in London, it is now a more permanent partnership between business, the Police and the Government in London.<ref>Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, [http://www.vocal.co.uk/cssc/about-cssc/ About CSSC], organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref>
 +
One of the other trustees is [[Stephen Kavanagh]], Chief Constable Essex Police, with whom Veness shares a history of counter terrorism tasks, undercover operations and involvement in the MacPherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence murder.<ref>Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, [http://www.vocal.co.uk/cssc/london/trustees/ Trustees], organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref>
  
−
<blockquote style="background-color:ivory;border:1pt solid Darkgoldenrod;padding:1%;font-size:10pt">The Metropolitan Police area and the City of London are exemplary in terms of the good relations which exist and are developing between the business community and the police. It has been David Veness, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations at the Met, who brought the two together. <ref>Rachel Briggs (Ed.), ''[http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/45.pdf The Unlikely Counter-terrorists (PDF)]'' (Foreign Policy Centre, 11 December 2002) p.64</ref></blockquote>
+
==== 2014: Pilgrims Group ====
 +
In March 2014, Veness joined the [[Pilgrims Group]], "a security, risk management and service support company that identifies and manages risks," according to its website. "Our expertise allows your business to operate and develop, unhindered and unrestricted."<ref>Pilgrims Group, [https://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/index.php Specialist security risk management and consultancy], Home and news, Company website (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref>. Pilgrims provides training and security to government bodies, NGOs and private companies in countries including the UK, USA, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Algeria, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Pakistan and Kuwait. As a Senior Advisor to the company, "Sir David’s knowledge of how markets are affected by global terrorism and his experience of policing and international staff safety and security at the highest level will be invaluable to our strategic planning and is set to further benefit our clients across all sectors."<ref name = Pilgrims>Pilgrims Group, [https://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/news.php?id=167 Former United Nations Security Leader, Sir David Veness, Joins Pilgrims Group], News release, company website, 5 March 2014 (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref>
  
 
==Affiliations==
 
==Affiliations==
−
*[[International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research]], International Advisory Council
+
*[[Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence]], St. Andrew's University, Hon. Professor in Terrorism Studies.
−
*[[RUSI]], Vice-President
+
*[[International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research]], Singapore, International Advisory Council member.
−
*[[Cranfield University]], Security Studies Institute, Visiting Professor, Counter-Terrorism, 2011<ref>[http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/ssi/securitystaff.html Security Studies Institute Staff], accessed 7 February 2011. </ref>
+
*[[Royal_United_Services_Institute_for_Defence_Studies | Royal United Services Institute]], Vice-President.
 +
*[[Cranfield University]], Security Studies Institute, Visiting Professor, Counter-Terrorism, 2011<ref>[http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/ssi/securitystaff.html Security Studies Institute Staff], accessed 7 February 2011.</ref>
 +
*[[Airey Neave Trust]], Trustee since 2009.<ref>[http://www.aireyneavetrust.org.uk/about-us/trustees Trustees], ''Airey Neave Trust'', accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
 +
* Security & Resilience Network for [[London First]], Chairman of the Advisory Board.<ref>[http://londonfirst.co.uk/networks/security-and-resilience-network/advisory-board/ Advisory Board], ''London First'', accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
 +
* Member of the Advisory Council for City Security and Resilience Networks (C/SARN).<ref>[http://www.csarn.org/Advisoryfull.html Advisory Council], ''City Security and Resilience Networks'', accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
 +
* One of the founders<ref>Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, [http://www.vocal.co.uk/cssc/about-cssc/founders/ Founders], organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)</ref> and Co-Chair of the Executive Board of [[Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications]].
 +
* [[Chertoff Group]], a Principle since 2010.<ref>[http://chertoffgroup.com/bios/david-veness.php David Veness], ''Chertoff Group'', accessed 24 November 2014.</ref>
 +
* [[Pilgrims Group]], Senior Advisor since March 2014.<ref name = Pilgrims/>
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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[[Category:Terrorologist|Veness, David]][[Category:Metropolitan Police|Veness, David]][[Category:Terrorism Industry|Veness, David]][[Category:Counter-Terrorism|Veness, David]]
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[[Category:Terrorologist|Veness, David]][[Category:Metropolitan Police|Veness, David]][[Category:Terrorism Industry|Veness, David]][[Category:Counter-Terrorism|Veness, David]][[Category:UndercoverResearch]]

Latest revision as of 13:09, 29 August 2019

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This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal - a project of the Undercover Research Group in conjunction with SpinWatch.

David Veness

Sir David Christopher Veness, CBE, QPM (born 20 September 1947) was the Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations of the Metropolitan Police from 1994 to 2005 and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security for the United Nations until 2008.

Career: Policing and counter-terrorism

1964-2001

  • Veness attended Raynes Park County Grammar School and joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps in 1964. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1966 and became a CID officer in 1969. In the early 1970s he attended Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1975.[1]
  • October 1979 - October 1980: Detective Chief Inspector (at age of 33) as head of CID at Kensington Police Station (then part of 'B Area'), overseeing an area with a high concentration of diplomatic embassies. He answered to Commander George Rushbrook.[2] He became the Principal Investigation Officer leading the inquiry into the disappearance of Martin Allen, a 15 year boy who vanished at King's Cross station in November 1979 and has not been seen since.[2][3] His disappearance has since been linked with the paedophile ring surrounding the Elm Street guesthouse, though inconclusively.[4] After his promotion to Superintendent, Veness maintained links with the Allen family.[5] and remained with oversight of the investigation despite several promotions.[2]
  • Veness trained as a hostage negotiator in 1979, he was a member of the negotiating team at the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in South Kensington. He was an instructor and then Director of the Scotland Yard Negotiators Course between 1980 and 1987.[6]
  • 1981-1982: raised to rank of Detective Superintendent.[5] and around this time served at Scotland Yard in the Complaints Bureau.[2]
  • 1981-1983: Det. Supt., Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Patrick Kavanagh.[7][8]
  • September 1983: promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent.[2]
  • 1984-1986: one of the Detective Chief Superintendents at Metropolitan and City Police Company Fraud Branch (C6), based at Richbell Place, London.[9]
  • 1984: led the negotiations at the Libyan Peoples Bureau incident in 19.[6]
  • In early 1987 he reportedly set up a specialist unit SO10 (not to be confused with the undercover unit SO10 formed in 1989) whose official job was providing ‘logistical support for crime operations’ but in fact was set up to specialize in handling sieges and cases requiring delicate negotiating skills or special planning.[10]
  • In October 1987 Veness was appointed a Police Commander, and served with Royalty and Diplomatic Protection until 1990. During this period, he was also responsible for security arrangements at major State and ceremonial events. After attendance at the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1990, he became Commander Public Order, Territorial Security and Operational Support.[6]
  • In October 1991 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations - Crime/Operations)[11][12] and headed the specialist crime squads at Scotland Yard, which included serious, organised and international crime, the fraud squad, the Flying Squad, criminal intelligence and force firearms.[13] According to Veness the job involved 'responsibility within the Metropolitan Police area, effectively Greater London, for serious crimes, murders, kidnapping and other offences of that ilk.'[14]
  • In April 1994 Veness was appointed Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations), a position he held until 2005.[1] He assumed charge of all 'specialist operations' including protection, terrorism, security and organised crime.[13] Veness described this position as 'slightly more senior level and a broadened responsibility, which mainly encompassed security protection and counter-terrorism.'[14] As such he would have overseen SO12, better known as Special Branch.

In all these roles Veness worked closely with the UK Government and the Security Services. Appearing as a witness in the Diana Inquest, he provided a rare public admittance of collaboration between the police and the security services:

Q. You had pretty close connections with the security services, didn't you, during the whole of your career?
A. Particularly in relation to my duties in connection with terrorism, that was an implicit part of my duties.[15]

After 9/11

Following the events of 11 September 2001, Veness oversaw the response of the Metropolitan Police in reinforcing the national counter-terrorism capability. In this he was supported by Commander Bob Quick[16] and his Deputy Assistant Commissioner Barbara Wilding.

In 2002, he established Operation Kratos under Wilding which sent officers around the world with the view to developing new tactics for dealing with suicide bombers, including training in Israel.[13] Kratos was taken over by ACPO's Terrorism and Allied Matters board in January 2003 and subsequently became national policy.[17] Veness is also credited with introducing the phrase DADA - 'Deterimined And Deadly Attack[18] - and Operation Kratos 'outlines what level of force officers can use to thwart' such an attack, including shoot to kill.[19]

Veness also took a role in countering dissident republican terrorism in London, from setting up CCTV and ANPR in Canary Wharf following the 1996 Docklands bombing[20] to warning against potential threats from the Real IRA in the city in 2001.[21]

In 2003 he was selected to represent the UK[22] on a seven nation Security Advisory Group for the 2004 Athens Olympics.[23]

Knighthood and retirement

On receiving a knighthood in 2005, it was said of Veness:

He is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding expert in the fields of combating terrorism, responding to organised and international crime, and hostage negotiation.[...]
AC David Veness has made an enormous contribution to the capital's fight against terrorism and is an important national police figure, central to combating terrorism and its associated threats. He has personally directed a significant number of complex and highly sensitive investigations into terrorism that have produced very significant high-profile prosecutions.
He was responsible for the co-ordination of the massive police response needed in the aftermath of the 11 September attack on New York and Washington, and through this work is an exemplary ambassador for the Police Service of the United Kingdom with an unparalleled knowledge in this specialist area.[24]

In February 2005, Veness retired from the Metropolitan Police.[25] He was succeeded as Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations by his longtime colleague Andy Hayman.[26]

Oversight of undercover work

As head of Special Operations Veness oversaw various units including counter-terrorism and the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), which targeted protestors. In this role Veness knew and worked closely with Bob Lambert of the SDS. The two men would have a long association, including through the work of the Muslim Safety Forum, and, after both had left the Police, at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (see below).

By October 2004, Veness was secretary of the ACPO's Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) board.[27] At the time, TAM was running the reorganised national domestic extremism units, including, including the National Public Order Intelligence Unit and its infiltration of protest movements during the time of Mark Kennedy and others. A number of Veness's subordinate officers would go on to join the TAM board, including his former deputy Bob Quick who was its chair in 2008-2009.[16]

In a notable incident earlier in his career, in July 1992, Veness along with Commander Roy Ramm seconded fellow DAC Ian Johnston's authorisation of the use of an undercover policewoman to get close to Colin Stagg in the Rachel Nickell murder enquiry.[28] Johnston would go on to act as Condon's trusted lieutenant in matters relating to the Stephen Lawrence murder, including delivering Condon's apology over the role of the Metropolitan police in the Lawrence murder inquiry, including his own 'obstinancy'[29], before heading up the British Transport Police.

Police corruption,the CIB and the Stephen Lawrence murder

1993 saw the start of a major push against police corruption particularly that associated with the South East Regional Crime Squad (some of whose members would be later implicated in the News of the World hacking scandal). This invesigation was run by the Complaints Investigations Branch (CIB), and part of this included the formation of a secretive anti-corruption unit even within this known as CIB3, or 'Ghost Squad'. Veness appears to have been integral to this anti-corruption drive, working closely with the Metropolitan Police's Professional Standards Unit. As such he was part of a group of officers that included all three of his subsequent successors as Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations: Andy Hayman, Bob Quick and John Yates. These three would repeatedly interlink in subsequent scandals, including police corruption, the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry, the News of the World hacking and the domestic extremism units.

In 1996, Veness' deputy as part of anti-corruption operations was Det. Supt. Chris Jarratt, who headed up intelligence and covert operations at CIB. Jarrett had also taken over the inquiry into murder of leading informant David Norris (a different individual to the David Norris later convicted for the murder of Stephen Lawrence), whom at some point in 1989-91 Veness had gone to meet in person to authorise the signing of payments.[30] Ian Crampton, one of the officers overseeing both the David Norris and Stephen Lawrence murder investigations, was godfather to one of Jarratt's sons. Jarrett was also later implicated in the smearing of Ali Dizaei, while he was answerable to Andy Hayman.[31]

Operation Athena was the name given to the strategic reponse of the Metropolitan Police's Racial and Violent Crime Task Force (headed by Dept Assist. Commissioner John Grieve) in the wake of the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.[32] Part of this was Operation Athena Tower, which targeted suspects in the murder. Veness played a role in this particular operation in the years 1999-2003, including sanctioning the bugging of one of the accused and insertion of an undercover officer to target him.[33] He seems to have taken a close interest in this project, appearing as a source in a 2001 paper on hate crime.[34]

However, as head of Specialist Operations, Veness was (through Bob Lambert) in the chain of command for the placing of Peter Francis and undercover officer N8I targeting the Lawrences[35], whilst simultaneously helping the anti-corruption drive targeting a number of officers around the Lawrence inquiry.[36]

The Muslim Safety Forum

As part of his counter-terrorism work following the September 11 attacks, Veness developed a keen interest in the Muslim community. In particular, from 2001-03, he or his deputy regularly chaired meetings of the monthly Muslim Safety Forum (MSF). As a forum it allowed leading representatives of the Muslim community in London to meet with senior officers from the Metropolitan police and ACPO. From 2002, The MSF was also regularly attended by Bob Lambert and others of the "counter-terrorism focused" Muslim Contact Unit (MCU) (then part of Special Branch, which Veness oversaw).[37] From an article written by Lambert on the MSF, it appears that Lambert and Veness were in close contact at this point:

...Veness emphasized on the small MCU team the importance of investing time at MSF meetings, ("be the first to arrive and the last to leave")...[37]

Think tanks and policy world

Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence

Royal United Services Institute

  • He has authored a number of articles for its publication, The RUSI Journal, including 'Protecting against unconventional attack' (1998),[46], ‘The Fight Against Terrorism: Achieving a New Balanced Normality’ (2003),[47] and ‘The safety of the realm in retrospect and prospect’ (2003).[48] In 2009 he provided the foreword for the RUSI publication After the War on Terror.[49][50]
  • Many of the other organisations he is a member of also have strong RUSI connections.

Other writing on policy

The Metropolitan Police area and the City of London are exemplary in terms of the good relations which exist and are developing between the business community and the police. It has been David Veness, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations at the Met, who brought the two together.[51]
  • In Veness 2001 was the author of 'Terrorism and Counterterrorism: An International Perspective' for the journal Studies in Conflict and Terrorism.[52]

After retirement

Security and intelligence consultant

2005 - 2008: UN Under-Secretary-general for Safety and Security

In January 2005, the United Nations announced that Veness had been appointed Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan.[53] On 24 June 2008,

On 24 June 2008, Veness resigned his position after the publication of an inquiry into the suicide bombing of the UN office in Algiers on 11 December 2007 that killed 17 UN staff. The inquiry had found that the bombing came after numerous internal UN warnings about a terrorist attack by the al-Qaeda affiliate in the Maghreb. Veness stated that he 'was willing to shoulder full responsibility for any security lapses' that preceded the bombing.[54]

2010: Chertoff Group

Veness subsequently joined in 2010 the Chertoff Group,[55] a US based firm working in the intelligence, security and risk management industries. Its directors and advisors lists some of the highest ranking former US government officials from intelligence and security agencies.[56] On the board with him is former Home Secretary and Minister of Defence, John Reid. Also associated with this company is Graham Carvell Love, the former CFO of Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, and CEO of QinetiQ. Their UK offices are based at 33 St James Street, London.[57]

London First

He is also chairman of the Security & Resilience Advisory Board at London First, a business lobby organisation.[58] His role includes promoting relationships between police and large business, and disseminating police security alerts.[59] A colleague on this board is Andrew Trotter who had been deputy and subsequently succeeded Ian Johnston as Chief Constable of the British Transport Police.[60]

2011: Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications

In addition to that, Veness is one of the founders[61] and Co-Chair of the Executive Board of Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, set up in June 2011 "by a team of senior security experts, with the aim of building a platform to facilitate communications between private and public sector on issues surrounding security and business resilience." Originally set up to help business prepare for the Olympics in London, it is now a more permanent partnership between business, the Police and the Government in London.[62] One of the other trustees is Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Constable Essex Police, with whom Veness shares a history of counter terrorism tasks, undercover operations and involvement in the MacPherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence murder.[63]

2014: Pilgrims Group

In March 2014, Veness joined the Pilgrims Group, "a security, risk management and service support company that identifies and manages risks," according to its website. "Our expertise allows your business to operate and develop, unhindered and unrestricted."[64]. Pilgrims provides training and security to government bodies, NGOs and private companies in countries including the UK, USA, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Algeria, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Pakistan and Kuwait. As a Senior Advisor to the company, "Sir David’s knowledge of how markets are affected by global terrorism and his experience of policing and international staff safety and security at the highest level will be invaluable to our strategic planning and is set to further benefit our clients across all sectors."[65]

Affiliations

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 ‘VENESS, Sir David (Christopher)’, Who's Who 2008, A & C Black, 2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Anton Gill, Martin Allen is missing, Corgi Childrens, 1984
  3. ↑ 'Thirty years on, we still don't know who abducted our son': Parents of Martin Allen make final plea for information, Daily Mail, 23 December 2009 (accessed 14 July 2015).
  4. ↑ Martin Hickman, Police failings put dozens of children at risk from notorious paedophile ring, The Independent, 3 March 2013 (accessed 14 July 2015).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Family wait and fear for news of schoolboy son, Daily Express, 7 March 1982, reproduced at Martin Allen: Missing since 5th November 1979, Spotlight On Abuse (blog), 1 September 2014 (accessed 14 July 2015).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom’
  7. ↑ Police and Constabulary Almanac 1982 edition, R Hazell & Co.
  8. ↑ Police and Constabulary Almanac 1983 edition, R Hazell & Co.
  9. ↑ Police and Constabulary Almanac 1984, 1985 and 1986 editions, R Hazell & Co.
  10. ↑ Robert Fisk, ‘Hostage deal gives gunmen safe passage’, The Times, 21 April 1988.
  11. ↑ Appointments, The Times, 19 October 1991 (accessed via Nexis).
  12. ↑ Police and Constabulary Almanac, R Hazell & Co, 1992.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 ‘Sir David Veness: Mr Security’, BBC News Online, 31 December 2004.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session
  15. ↑ Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session paragraphs 67-68.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Robert Quick, Witness Statement of Robert Quick to the Leveson Inquiry, 13 February 2012.
  17. ↑ Evidence of Sir Michael Wright, Jean Charles de Menezes inquest hearings], 5 November 2008.
  18. ↑ Frank Gregory, Police and counter-terrorism in the UK, published in Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attack Since 9/11, Paul Wilkinson (ed), 2007, Taylor & Francis.
  19. ↑ London Police Maintain 'Shoot-to-Kill' Policy, New York Times, 20 August 2005, accessed 24 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Kevin Smith, Head of ANPR, in Influencing and Managing Change: Celebrating Black History Month 2013, Metropolitan Black Police Association, 2013, accessed March 2014
  21. ↑ Real IRA: Met fears worse to come, BBC News Online, 10 May 2001, accessed March 2014.
  22. ↑ Paul Kelso, Nowhere will be safer than London says Livingstone, The Guardian, 9 July 2005.
  23. ↑ Combating Terrorism: Interagency Framework and Agency Programs to Address the Overseas Threat (GAO-03-165), United States General Accounting Office, May 2003. 'Security planning for the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens is a multilateral effort. The Greek Government requested Olympic security expertise from seven countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Israel, Germany and Australia. These countries make up the Olympic Security Advisory Group, which reports to the Greek Minister of Public Order on security issues at the strategic level. The group also provides advice on technical support issues at the operational level. The range of issues includes intelligence, planning, training and exercises, technology, command and control coordination, and venue security.'
  24. ↑ Metropolitan Police, Met personnel honoured by the Queen, press release, 10 January 2005, accessed 12 March 2014.
  25. ↑ Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, Hearing transcript 15 January 2008 - Morning session
  26. ↑ Mark Tran, Anti-terror chief dogged by controversy, The Guardian, 4 December 2007, accessed 12 March 2014.
  27. ↑ EU Counter Terrorism Arrangements, Examination of Witnesses (Questions 33-39), Select Committee on European Union, 27 October 2004.
  28. ↑ Michael Sean Gillard, Geoff Seed and Laurie Flynn, I was set up, says Nickell detective, The Guardian, 2 September 1999. For more information on this case see Wikipedia.
  29. ↑ The Runnymede Bulletin, August 1998, p.5, accessed March 2014.
  30. ↑ Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012, p. 66.
  31. ↑ Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012, p. 281.
  32. ↑ Operation Athena, Report 11, Metropolitan Police Authority, accessed 1 Mar 2014.
  33. ↑ Stephen Wright, Police bugged Lawrence killers' homes, cars, pubs and snooker halls, The Daily Mail, 4 January 2012, accessed March 2014.
  34. ↑ Joseph Kibitlewski and Kelly B. Shaw, Hate, Hate Groups and Hate Crimes: Fighting Xenophobia in the European Union, 2001.
  35. ↑ Mick Creedon, Operation Trinity - Allegations of Peter Francis, Operation Herne - Report 2, 6 March 2014, p. 18. It is explicitly noted that the SDS came under the aegis of the Metropolitan Police's Special Branch, part of Specialist Operations, run by Veness during the timeframe concerned. See also: Mark Ellison, The Stephen Lawrence Independent Review, Vol. 1, p. 233, which quotes from Commander Barry Moss, head of Special Branch at the time, that he both oversaw the SDS and was answerable to AC Veness.
  36. ↑ Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloomsbury 2012. Veness is named as part of the inner circle who under Commissioner Paul Condon were responsible for setting up the unit CIB3 to target corrupt police (p.25). Among their targets was Sgt. John Davidson who was part of the original Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry (p. 170). See also: Mark Ellison, The Stephen Lawrence Independent Review, Vol. 1, Chapter 5.4.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Robert Lambert, The Muslim Safety Forum: Senior Police and Muslim Community Engagement during the War on Terror, published in Preventing Ideological Violence: Communities, Police and Case Studies of "Success", P. Daniel Silk, Basia Spalek & Mary O'Rawe (editors), 2013.
  38. ↑ John Upton, ‘In the Streets of Londonistan’, London Review of Books, 22 January 2004.
  39. ↑ Screengrab of CSPTV's website created 19 November 2008, 15:31:02.
  40. ↑ Maxwell Taylor, John Horgan, (eds.) The Future of Terrorism (Routledge, 2000) p.1.
  41. ↑ Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Volume 24, Number 5, 1 September 2001.
  42. ↑ Terrorism and Political Violence, Volume: 17 Issue: 1-2 Pages: 1-2, 2005.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 International Advisory Council], Political Violence and Terrorism Research, original site accessed 24 November 2014, now via archive.org The Council does not appear at the Centre's new website.
  44. ↑ ‘RUSI Council Members’, The RUSI Journal, Vol. 140 No. 4, 1995, published by Taylor & Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.
  45. ↑ ‘The Forum’, The RUSI Journal, Vol. 150 No.1, 2005, published by Taylor & Francis, accessed 22 November 2014.
  46. ↑ David Veness, ‘Protecting against unconventional attack’, The RUSI Journal, Vol. 143 No. 6, 1998, published by Taylor & Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.
  47. ↑ David Veness, ‘The Fight Against Terrorism: Achieving a New Balanced Normality’, The RUSI Journal, Vol. 148 No. 4, August 2003, accessed 24 November 2014.
  48. ↑ David Veness, ‘The safety of the realm in retrospect and prospect’, The RUSI Journal, Vol. 148 No. 4, 2003, published by Taylor & Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.
  49. ↑ Alex P Schmid & Garry F Hindle (Eds.), After The War On Terror, RUSI Books, 2009.
  50. ↑ Alex Schmid was the director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews from 2006 until 2011, during which time Bob Lambert was hired.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Rachel Briggs (Ed.), The Unlikely Counter-terrorists (PDF) (Foreign Policy Centre, 11 December 2002) p.64.
  52. ↑ Terrorism and Counterterrorism: An International Perspective, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 2001, Vol. 24, 2001, published by Taylor & Francis, accessed 24 November 2014.
  53. ↑ United Nations Press Release, SG/A/903, BIO/3632, ‘Secretary-General appoints David Veness of United Kingdom’. Veness would formally take up his post on 28 February 2005.
  54. ↑ James Bone, Sir David Veness quits as head of UN security over Algiers bombing, The Times, 25 June 2008.
  55. ↑ Former U.K. Home Secretary John Reid Joins Chertoff Group, Chertoff Group press release, 15 June 2010, accessed 24 November 2014.
  56. ↑ Chertoff Group Team Mmbers, ChertoffGroup.com, accessed 1 March 2014.
  57. ↑ The Chertoff Group Expands International Reach with Opening of London Office, Chertoff Group press release, 18 March 2010, accessed 1 Mar 2014.
  58. ↑ London First biography, LondonFirst.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014
  59. ↑ London First Security and Resilience Network online library, LondonFirst.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014.
  60. ↑ LondonFirst.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014.
  61. ↑ Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, Founders, organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)
  62. ↑ Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, About CSSC, organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)
  63. ↑ Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, Trustees, organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)
  64. ↑ Pilgrims Group, Specialist security risk management and consultancy, Home and news, Company website (accessed 6 May 2015)
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 Pilgrims Group, Former United Nations Security Leader, Sir David Veness, Joins Pilgrims Group, News release, company website, 5 March 2014 (accessed 6 May 2015)
  66. ↑ Security Studies Institute Staff, accessed 7 February 2011.
  67. ↑ Trustees, Airey Neave Trust, accessed 24 November 2014.
  68. ↑ Advisory Board, London First, accessed 24 November 2014.
  69. ↑ Advisory Council, City Security and Resilience Networks, accessed 24 November 2014.
  70. ↑ Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications, Founders, organisation's website, n.d. (accessed 6 May 2015)
  71. ↑ David Veness, Chertoff Group, accessed 24 November 2014.
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