MI5 has taken charge of national security in Ulster for the first time.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde handed over control to the intelligence agency, which is opening a new £20m office near Belfast.
The transfer of powers took place at midday on Wednesday, his office confirmed yesterday.
A spokesperson added: "All the necessary service level agreements are in place and this step brings the Police Service of Northern Ireland into line with the arrangements in all other UK police services."
The handover has been on the cards for some time as part of the new policing and security arrangements in Northern Ireland.
But it means that for the first time, MI5 will have the lead role in national security intelligence gathering. The Government has already made it clear that the agency will not have any part in civic policing.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3056599.ece
In other words it is back to square one, causing more trouble.
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