The External Advisory Group (EAG) independently scrutinises the Commission’s proposed methodologies and approaches for carrying out its investigations. Kate Meynell, Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council Homicide Working Group, and Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, chairs the group.
The group includes members with a range of experience including:
- homicide and terrorism investigation and prosecution;
- human rights law;
- victim care and trauma focus; and
- experience of these areas within Northern Ireland.
View the group’s Terms of Reference
Chair of the External Advisory Group: Chief Constable Kate Meynell
Chief Constable Kate Meynell took the reins at Nottinghamshire Police in December 2022. Previously the Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary, she has returned to the force where she began and spent most of her career.
Kate, who grew up in Nottinghamshire, described her new role as her “dream job”. She said: “Nottinghamshire Police has a positive, strong workforce and I do feel we have the opportunity now to continue the improvements already started. I genuinely care passionately about the force and want to build on the good work that has been done and build relationships with external partners and communities.”
She spent most of her career serving with Nottinghamshire Police, including a two-and-a-half-year spell as Assistant Chief Constable when she led the force’s knife crime strategy and chaired the county strategic response to the Covid pandemic.
She is also the chair of the National Homicide Working Group, which looks into ways to improve the quality of investigations into homicide, including working on a national homicide reduction strategy.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Rob Beckley
Rob Beckley has just concluded his term of office as High Sheriff of Somerset, having retired in March 2024 after a distinguished policing career spanning 38 years. His most recent appointment since 2016, was as Assistant Commissioner and Advisor to the Home Secretary with the principal responsibility of leading criminal and disciplinary investigations into the Hillsborough disaster.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Edward Fitzgerald KC
Edward Fitzgerald KC was named Human Rights and Public Law Silk of the Year in the Chambers Bar Awards 2013, Legal Aid Lawyer of the year in 2009, and Silk of the Year award 2005. In 1998 he was given the Times Justice Human Rights Award. In 2008 he was awarded the CBE for services to human rights. Founding Head of Chambers at Doughty Street Chambers and was Pro Bono KC of the year in 2025.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Barbara Gray
Barbara’s police career has over 35 years policing experience serving communities in Northern Ireland for most of her service, culminating in three years as Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police (MPS) leading the critical response to integrity, standards and culture.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Pauline McCabe
Pauline McCabe has over thirty years’ experience in executive and non-executive director roles in public and private sector organisations including the Northern Ireland Policing Board and Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Elaine Miller-Karas
Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, is a trauma therapist, social worker, author, international lecturer and consultant, podcast host on VoiceAmerica, Psychology Today contributor, and social entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and Executive Director Emerita of the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI).
Member of the External Advisory Group: Judith Thompson
Appointed by Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers, Judith served as the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors of Northern Ireland’s troubled past from 2015 to 2020. Judith’s commitment to promoting the interests of victims and survivors of conflict and trauma is based on more than 30 years working within justice organisations and in communities.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Mark Tuohey
Long considered one of Washington, D.C.’s most prominent white collar defense attorneys, Mark Tuohey boasts a distinguished, 45-year career in both public service and private practice.
Member of the External Advisory Group: Gregor McGill
Gregor qualified as a solicitor in 1987 and worked as a commercial litigator in the City of London for 4 years. In 1991, he decided to join the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in London.