Ebook: Special Branch: a history: 1883-2006

Cover; Title Page; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgements; Preface by Lord Peter Imbert CVO QPM DL; Heads of Special Branch from 1883 to 2006; Introduction; Chapter One: Fenian Terrorism; Chapter Two: Anarchists and Bolsheviks; Chapter Three: The Suffragette Movement; Chapter Four: Establishment; Chapter Five: Protection; Chapter Six: Naturalisation and Port Controls; Chapter Seven: German Espionage and Subversive Pacifism in Great Britain; Chapter Eight: The Rise and Fall of the Directorate of Intelligence; Chapter Nine: The Secret Service Committee 1925.;Initially tasked with combatting the threat of Irish republican terrorists in the reign of Queen Victoria, the Metropolitan Police Special Branch went on to play a major role in the defence of the realm for over 120 years. Over time, ‘the Branch', as it came to be known, assumed a much wider role, and was held responsible for monitoring the activities of anarchists, Bolsheviks and even the suffragettes. Later, it became the executive arm of MI5 in dealing with espionage cases, as (much to their frustration) the Security Service had no power to arrest potential spies. As the war against terror.