MI5 boss says it’s led heavyintel operation since 2007

The Director General of the security outfit told the Westminster Intelligence and Security Committee it had “a very substantial commitment of effort in Northern Ireland which is based there and is not distracted by the rest of our work.”

Over three years ago Londonderry MP Mark Durkan complained that though the Patten Report had stipulated intelligence gathering should be led by the PSNI this had been overridden at St Andrew’s.

“At St Andrew’s in 2006, Tony Blair and Gerry Adams threw this out the window and agreed that MI5 would have primacy,” he complained.

Mr Parker acknowledged MI5 took over intelligence gathering here in 2007.

“We took over the intelligence lead for work against terrorism in Northern Ireland six years ago, and we have a heavy commitment of resources there, which is partnered with PSNI,” he said.

Mr Parker also alluded to the recent murder of David Black, a prison officer, whose wife was an employee at Altnagelvin.

“I think the situation in Northern Ireland is one in which we do see, from time to time, tragic terrorism,” he said.

“A year ago, the murder of a prison officer, David Black, over there.

“I think a disgraceful act. But the people that we are talking about, the terrorists over there, are a small number of people, a residue of terrorism from what I would call a bygone era,” he added.

Former Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Paul Goggins questioned Mr Parker’s use of the term “residue.”

He pointed out: “The Northern Ireland Secretary herself warned yesterday (Wednesday, November 6) of continuous planning and targeting by dissident republicans.”

Mr Goggins asked: “What are the major factors that lie behind this renewed level of threat in Northern Ireland?”

The MI5 chief answered: “I am not sure I would accept it is a renewed level of threat.

“The number of terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland year-on-year is diminishing, as we and the police press down on it.”

He also echoed PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott who last week said the threat from dissident republican groups remained severe but was being countered.

The Chief Constable told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: “Across the island of Ireland, we are managing at least a terrorist charge a week at the moment.”

On Thursday (November 7), Mr Parker said: “The number of people convicted in the courts is gradually going up as we bring these people before the courts. The threat persists in the way that the Secretary of State said. I think she said likely for the foreseeable future, and I would agree with that assessment.”

The MI5 boss claimed he believed violent republicans would eventually give up.

“It won’t last forever,” he said. “Because these people will eventually, over time, either give up or be caught and put before the courts and put in jail.”

This prompted Mr Goggins to ask: “You think there are prospects for change? You don’t think this goes on indefinitely?”

Mr Parker replied: “I think over time it is diminishing year-on-year and eventually we will see a Northern Ireland without this sort of terrorism. I am committed to working there with the police until we see that day.”