MI5 transfer dangerous says SDLP

New MI5 headquarters are being built in Holywood

The transfer of national security from the police to MI5 in Northern Ireland is dangerous, SDLP leader Mark Durkan has warned.

He has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to rethink plans for MI5's role and the repercussions for the police ombudsman's role.

MI5 is spending more than £20m on new headquarters at Palace Barracks in Holywood, holding up to 400 people.

Mr Durkan called the plans a "dangerous diversion of resources from al-Qaeda".

"Because the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) handles national security matters, the Police Ombudsman can investigate complaints about these matters.

"But when MI5 assumes primacy she will not be able to do so," he said.

He said this was a contradiction, as the ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, can already investigate complaints against the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

She would also shortly be empowered to do the same for Revenue and Customs and Immigration Service staff, he pointed out.

In June, NI Oversight Commissioner Al Hutchinson said the proposed transfer had "profound potential implications for the police service" and was a cause for concern.

In his 16th report, he said the transfer must not stop police from investigating organised crime.

The government's decision means that from next summer, MI5 will gather intelligence on terrorist groups and their activities, while the police will gather criminal intelligence.