Hague triggers torture inquiry
Friday, 21 May 2010 10:44 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
An inquiry into whether Britain has been complicit in torture of terrorist suspects will take place, William Hague has confirmed.
In one of his first acts as foreign secretary, Mr Hague has directly challenged the actions of his predecessor, David Miliband, who repeatedly insisted he had nothing to hide.
If any questionable behaviour is found to have taken place, the Labour leadership candidate could see his campaign put under severe strain.
Mr Hague has been critical of the Labour government's stance on collusion since the high court upheld claims by Binyam Mohamed, a former Guantanamo detainee who was tortured by US forces in Pakistan and Morocco.
He claimed officers in MI5 briefed their American allies on questions.
A judge will now investigate whether British intelligence agencies were complicit in torture.
Reprieve director Clive Stafford Smith said: "We cannot learn from history if we do not know what that history is.
"The previous government made such a concerted effort to cover up the truth that a full and open inquiry is vital to Britain's credibility.
"We do not call for retribution, or the opportunity to abuse the abusers. A truth and reconciliation process is more sensible if we want to get to the facts."
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