The Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him into any matter connected with policing.

An inquiry under this section shall be held in public or in private as the Secretary of State may direct.

Schedule 8 to the M1Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (inquiries and investigations) shall apply to an inquiry under this section with the substitution for references to the Ministry of references to the Secretary of State.

Where the report of the person holding an inquiry under this section is not published, a summary of his findings and conclusions shall be made known by the Secretary of State so far as appears to him consistent with the public interest.