Policing watchdog concerned about planned MI5 role
06/06/2006 - 11:25:09The man appointed to oversee reform of the old RUC has expressed concern about the British government's plans to give MI5 responsibility for national security in the North.
The move means the spy agency will be responsible for gathering intelligence on paramilitaries, while the police will focus on organised crime.
The move has already been criticised by Sinn Féin and the SDLP due to the fact that MI5 is not accountable to the public for its actions.
Oversight Commission Al Hutchinson has now added his voice to those concerns, saying the increased responsibility of MI5 would have "profound potential implications for the police service".
