The names of the three independent reviewers who will help produce a contemporary assessment of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland have been announced.

They are Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC, Rosalie Flanagan, and Stephen Shaw QC.

Collectively, the UK government says they have “an in-depth knowledge of security issues, legal expertise, an understanding of Northern Ireland politics and political structures, as well as credibility and standing from across the community”.

On Friday, Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers announced that she had ordered an independent assessment of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.

This will be published in mid-October after it has been independently reviewed by Lord Carlile, Ms Flanagan and Mr Shaw, and will be available to inform the crisis talks currently underway.

Ms Villiers said: “I am very grateful to each of the reviewers for agreeing to take on this important work. They are all highly respected individuals. I am confident that they will bring rigour, integrity and independence to this important task.”