Tuesday 8 October 2002

MI5 faces accountability test as new chief takes reins

Good news.... Problem is, it's not MI5 that scares me, it's MI6!!!!!

The second woman to head MI5 takes over as the director-general today with the domestic security agency facing one of the most difficult periods in its history.

Eliza Manningham-Buller succeeds Sir Stephen Lander, who stepped down this year. The only other female leader of MI5 has been Stella Rimington, whose tenure created some controversy.

Mrs Manningham-Buller is the 52-year-old daughter of a former conservative attorney-general and a schoolmate of Princess Anne at Benenden.

Her appointment comes at a time when MI5 is striving for more public transparency and accountability.

Full story...