NRI Keith Vaz appointed to UK's top security panel

Leading NRI parliamentarian Keith Vaz has been appointed to Britain's National Security Committee, which is responsible for scrutinising counter terrorism policy and strategy in the country.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy has now been formerly moved in the House of Commons and will be meeting informally before the end of this month.

As chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Vaz monitors and scrutinises the work of the Home Office, including the counter terrorism portfolio.

The Labour MP for Leicester East will be joined on the Committee by fellow Chairs of Select Committees, senior politicians and Lords.

Vaz said he was "delighted to have been appointed to the Committee".

"Counter Terrorism is a crucial policy area for the UK. The government and other agencies work constantly to prevent terrorist attacks from happening. The Home Affairs Committee will next month be publishing a report on the responsiveness of the Home Office to terrorism attacks," he said.

The Labour leader said, "It is important that counter terrorism strategy is scrutinised by Parliament".

"There are numerous agencies who work to fight terrorism and the sharing of information and singular strategy aims are vital," Vaz said, adding "I look forward to working with fellow Parliamentarians at the request of Prime Minister Gordon Brown."