A FORMER top judge is to head an independent review of business practices at defence giant BAE Systems.

Lord Woolf, the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has been confirmed as the chairman of the panel set up following allegations that BAE made payments to a Saudi prince.

BAE, which employs about 5,000 workers at Samlesbury, has denied making the payments as part of a multi-million pound arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

The committee will also include Philippa Foster Back, director of the Institute of Business Ethics and Sir David Walker, former chairman of Morgan Stanley International. A final member will be confirmed by Lord Woolf.