New British spymaster is Islamic expert

The British Government has announced as the new head of MI5, an official who has specialised in tracking the threat of Islamist terrorism.

Jonathan Evans, currently the deputy head of the security service, will take over from Eliza Manningham-Buller, the outgoing director-general, who caused surprise in Whitehall by announcing that she was stepping down early from the job.

Evans previously worked on counter-terrorism, dealing mainly with the Irish republican movements. Since 1999 he has been directly involved in dealing with Muslim fundamentalist groups.

- INDEPENDENT