The Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency is an official responsible for monitoring the work of the UK Border Agency, and is also the name used by the staff that supports his work. The position was created by section 48 of the UK Borders Act 2007, which also created the Agency.
The inspectorate does not investigate individual cases, but assesses whether the Agency is executing the policies laid down by Parliament and the Home Office, and whether there is maladministration. Inspections involve site visits throughout the world.
The current Independent Chief Inspector is John Vine QPM CBE, former Chief Constable of Tayside Police, who is paid just under £190,000 p.a.[1] He was appointed by the Home Office from outside the agency, in the same way as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.
The resulting reports can be robust in their criticism of the UK Border Agency.[2]