Norman Baker

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker has won a legal test case in which he sought access to any files that MI5 might hold on him.

The victory came with a ruling from the new National Security Appeals Panel of the Data Protection Tribunal. The outcome was announced by panel president Sir Anthony Evans in London's High Court on Monday.

Baker, who is a home affairs spokesman for his party, said the ruling was "a landmark decision and a victory for the individual against the state". He said the case showed it was inappropriate for the security services to be given blanket exemptions to data protection laws.

While stating that he backed the need to protect national security, Baker said decisions should be made on a case by case basis. While MI5 has declined to say whether it holds any files on the MP, Baker said he hoped they would now be handed over to him - if they existed.

The government had argued that material held by the security services was exempt from the Data Protection Act and did not have to be revealed, but in making its ruling the panel rejected that argument.

However, the Home Office said it was open to the home secretary to act to ensure MI5 is exempt from the Act. A spokesman said the issue would require "careful consideration".

Baker said "the ball is now back in the court of the security service".