MPs question Clarke on MI5 chief's safety

KENNETH CLARKE, the Home Secretary, is to face questions over the personal security of the head of MI5, Stella Rimington, after reports that she is a sitting target for terrorists, writes Steve Boggan.

Labour and Conservative MPs said they were concerned yesterday by reports that a newspaper hired a 'commercial inquiry agency' to spy on her bank records, credit-card receipts, telephone calls and household bills.

The agent was hired by the Sunday Times to demonstrate how easily terrorists or foreign agents could establish details of Mrs Rimington's movements - including regular shopping trips - and how readily available sensitive information was about her household, including plans of her home.

MI5 now has a more prominent role in the detection of terrorism, but it would appear that security for its head has not been increased proportionately. Mrs Rimington, 56, who is married with two daughters, was the first MI5 head to be publicly named when she was appointed in December 1991.

Yesterday, Tony Blair, the shadow Home Secretary, said he was 'concerned' over the revelations. But he added: 'I still believe it was right for her to be named as part of more openness and accountability in the security services and I hope this will not prejudice moves to achieve even more openness.'

The Home Office refused to discuss Mrs Rimington's security, but said: 'There appears to have been a breach of data protection rules. It is alarming that unauthorised access has been made to information of this kind.'

A spokeswoman said the 'breaches' would be reported to the Data Protection Registrar for investigation. In its article, the newspaper said no laws were broken during its research.