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Blair 'to reassure over MI5 role' Blair 'to reassure over MI5 role'
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair is to set out the distinct role of police and security services in Northern Ireland, in a written statement to the Commons on Wednesday.Tony Blair is to set out the distinct role of police and security services in Northern Ireland, in a written statement to the Commons on Wednesday.
The move follows intensive negotiations between the government and Sinn Fein on policing over the Christmas period.The move follows intensive negotiations between the government and Sinn Fein on policing over the Christmas period.
It is believed the government hopes the statement will reassure nationalists about MI5's future role.It is believed the government hopes the statement will reassure nationalists about MI5's future role.
Sinn Fein sources believe it may answer nationalist doubts about interference by the security services in policing.Sinn Fein sources believe it may answer nationalist doubts about interference by the security services in policing.
Republican sources suggest it may mean an end to any suggestion of secondments between the police and MI5.Republican sources suggest it may mean an end to any suggestion of secondments between the police and MI5.
There are also suggestions that a new Policing Board sub-committee will be set up to deal with security.There are also suggestions that a new Policing Board sub-committee will be set up to deal with security.
Both the SDLP and Sinn Fein have raised questions about oversight of the security services.Both the SDLP and Sinn Fein have raised questions about oversight of the security services.
MI5 is building a £20m headquarters in Palace Barracks outsideBelfast.
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said his party was awaiting withinterest the prime minister's statement .
"This statement must put in place mechanismsto ensure the complete separation of MI5 from civic policing," he said.
"There can be no integration of MI5 and the PSNI."
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the statement "could influence both the internal republican debate on policing and the wider contest between the nationalist parties".BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the statement "could influence both the internal republican debate on policing and the wider contest between the nationalist parties".
It comes as senior Sinn Fein members were to meet on Tuesday to decide whether their national executive should reconsider a plan to hold a special conference this month on policing. It came as senior Sinn Fein members were due to meet on Tuesday to decide whether their national executive should reconsider a plan to hold a special conference this month on policing.
Sorting out policing is critical to restoring devolution.Sorting out policing is critical to restoring devolution.
Fresh powersFresh powers
Meanwhile, it emerged in the assembly on Monday that police in Northern Ireland are to be given fresh powers to seize documents and files in order to tackle serious crime.Meanwhile, it emerged in the assembly on Monday that police in Northern Ireland are to be given fresh powers to seize documents and files in order to tackle serious crime.
Detectives could seize material without any explicit reason to suspect crime. It is understood similar laws are not planned for Great Britain.Detectives could seize material without any explicit reason to suspect crime. It is understood similar laws are not planned for Great Britain.
Security minister Paul Goggins said searches would not be "willy-nilly".Security minister Paul Goggins said searches would not be "willy-nilly".
SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said that at a time when other security measures are being relaxed, more stringent police powers should not be introduced.SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said that at a time when other security measures are being relaxed, more stringent police powers should not be introduced.
"How can you on the one hand normalise Northern Ireland society and on the other hand give the police this enormous power?" he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster."How can you on the one hand normalise Northern Ireland society and on the other hand give the police this enormous power?" he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster.
"(Officers could) go into any building under a lawful search and seize any document, even if there is no suspicion of that document being relevant to crime.""(Officers could) go into any building under a lawful search and seize any document, even if there is no suspicion of that document being relevant to crime."
The assembly's policing and justice committee debated the issue on Monday.The assembly's policing and justice committee debated the issue on Monday.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain is to address members of the cross-party committee on Tuesday, where he will be questioned by assembly members on his proposals for a new justice department by March 2008.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain is to address members of the cross-party committee on Tuesday, where he will be questioned by assembly members on his proposals for a new justice department by March 2008.