David Neal (British Army officer)

David Neal graduated from Bangor University with a BA in English Literature in 1993. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Commissioning Course 933 and was commissioned into the Royal Military Police on 20 September 1994.^[2]

After service on exercise and operations across the world, on 22 July 2016, he was appointed by The Queen as the Provost Marshal (Army) and Commander of 1 Military Police Brigade in the rank of Brigadier.^[3]

He accepted the Freedom of the City of Salisbury on behalf of the Royal Military Police on 14 June 2018.^[4] This freedom was exercised by the Royal Military Police at Armed Forces Day on 29 June 2019.^[5]

Neal faced extensive criticism during a public inquiry into Operation Northmoor, a Royal Military Police (RMP) investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by the SAS in Afghanistan. The investigation, which examined claims that SAS operatives were involved in the extrajudicial killing of unarmed civilians during night raids, was prematurely closed in 2019 without any charges being brought. Neal was criticised for failing to maintain a policy file or logbook documenting critical decisions, inadequately resourcing the investigation, and issuing an unexplained order preventing the use of a £7.58 million data handling system purchased to support the inquiry. These actions, coupled with reports of obstruction by UK Special Forces, were cited as significant factors undermining the investigation’s ability to pursue key lines of inquiry and secure vital evidence.^[6]

After leaving the Army he was employed by London-based Blackstone Consultancy as a Strategic Security Advisor.^[7] He was a finalist in the UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) 2021, nominated as Outstanding Security Consultant.^[8]

David Neal was appointed the third individual appointed to the post of Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration. The ICIBI is an independent monitoring body that reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the immigration, asylum, nationality and customs functions carried out by the Home Secretary, officials and others on her behalf.^[9]

Neal gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee in June 2022, where it was revealed that he had not met Home Secretary Priti Patel since his appointment in March 2021.^[10] In July 2022, the Home Office published a delayed report produced by Neal^[11] into the English Channel irregular migrant small boats crossings which was highly critical of the Home Office's performance and response.^[12][13][14]

On 24 October 2022, Neal again gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee which exposed serious overcrowding at Manston processing centre, conditions which Neal described as "wretched".^[15] This evidence prompted an urgent question in the House of Commons from the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Dame Diana Johnson MP, on 26 October 2022.^[16] A second urgent question on the same subject was tabled by Sir Roger Gale MP on 7 November 2022.^[17]

On 12 September 2023 in an interview with the Times, Neal reported that Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick was refusing to meet him to be discuss Neal's findings from a visit to the Bibby Stockholm barge. Neal described the removal in August of asylum seekers from the barge after the discovery of legionella bacteria as a "shambles".^[18]

Later that month, it was reported on the Open Democracy website, that Neal's appointment would not be extended after his 3-year contract ended in March 2024 and that he had been 'sacked' for being excessively critical of the Home Office in reports dated from February 2022. These reports were accessed by Open Democracy through Freedom of Information requests.^[19]

Neal was dismissed^[20] from his position on 20 February 2024 after a dispute with the Home Office over the release of information relating to the alleged lack of security over flights landing at London City Airport.^[21]

In addition to contributions in print, TV and Radio. Neal captained the Bangor University alumni team which reached the semi-finals of BBC University Challenge which aired on BBC 2 on 28 December 2023. The team were beaten by the eventual winners of the competition, Middlesex University.^[22]

Neal featured in the Spectator magazine's podcast Coffee House Shots on 27 February 2024 in an episode entitled 'David Neal versus the Home Office'.^[23]

Neal was also a judge for the 2023/2024 British Kebab Awards,^[24] attending the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel on 27 February 2024.^[25]

He was the featured guest on the Today Show Podcast, which aired on BBC Radio 4 on 14 March 2024, where he was interviewed by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson about his experiences as the ICIBI.^[26]

Neal was shortlisted for the 2024 Contrarian Prize.^[27]