Home Affairs Ctee urges action for Binyam Mohamed
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 4:25 PM
By Matthew West
Home Affairs Committee chairman, Keith Vaz has written to the attorney-general over allegations that MI5 officers were involved in the torture of Binyam Mohammed.
Mr Vaz wrote to Baroness Scotland today to ask why it had already taken four months to decide whether there should be an inquiry into Mr Mohammed's allegations.
In the letter he raises concerns that the attorney-general has been unable to reach a decision as to whether the "very serious allegations" made, and repeated yesterday, by Mr Mohammed deserved further scrutiny.
He writes: "As you are aware, Mr Binyam Mohammed has arrived back in the UK, having been released by the authorities in the United States. Mr Mohammed has made very serious allegations that he was tortured while in detention, and that British officials were complicit in that torture.
"We understand that on 23 October 23 the home secretary asked you to consider whether the police should be invited to investigate the possible involvement of British officials in this affair.
"It is now four months since that referral, and the Home Affairs Committee is concerned that you have not yet been able to make a decision about a police investigation.
"We urge you to bring this serious issue to an expeditious conclusion, and we would be grateful if you would supply us with an indication of when you expect to make a decision."
The letter follows the call by the chairman of the Foreign Affairs select committee this morning for the US to release any information relating to the alleged toture of former the Guantanamo Bay detainee.
Mike Gapes MP told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme any UK involvement would be "a serious stain" on the government.
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