The dissident republican Real IRA, which claimed responsibility today for a car bomb attack on MI5’s headquarters in the North, will not derail the peace process, political leaders said.

A car bomb exploded near to the headquarters of MI5 in the North today within minutes of policing and justice powers being transferred from London to Belfast.

A getaway car used by the Real IRA killers of two soldiers in the North could hold clues leading to a major breakthrough.