The pressure group, The Celtic League, has questioned whether the former head of MI5 should be welcomed to the Island.

Dame Stella Rimington will speak to the Isle of Man 'Sporting and Dining Club' on Thursday October 26th at the Hilton Hotel and Casino.

The league describes MI5 as having " a chequered and dubious history" and says that over the years, on the pretext of countering subversion or terrorism, it been an insidious organisation allegedly involved in all manner of criminality from fraud to murder.

The League continues " whatever illumination Stella does provide for those individuals inclined to attend the forthcoming 'soiree' it is unlikely that she will draw back the veil too far and reveal detail of the subversion of British Trade Unions during the 1970-80s. She is also unlikely to shed much light on the killings in Ireland over the past thirty years which MI5 is thought to have been associated with".

On a mischievous note, the statement adds " her visit could still have a positive benefit locally. Mrs Rimington could perhaps pop round and visit the Islands local police, still suffering the fall-out from the unresolved police station bugging scandal, and teach them how a 'real pro' does it!"