Ministers consider fresh torture collusion inquiry

British spies knew that the US was torturing detainees, according to a parliamentary committee
British spies knew that the US was torturing detainees, according to a parliamentary committee
SHANE MCCOY/MAI/LIFE IMAGES/GETTY

Ministers are considering holding a second judge-led inquiry into Britain’s involvement in torture and rendition after the war on terrorism.

The parliamentary intelligence and security committee said last week that British spies had known at an “early point” after 9/11 that the US was torturing detainees but continued to tolerate “inexcusable” mistreatment. After this the government said that it would consider the findings but stopped short of agreeing to a full independent inquiry.

Under pressure yesterday from the Conservative grandee Kenneth Clarke the government went further, agreeing to give “careful consideration” to demands for a judge-led inquiry and announce the decision within weeks.

A “short and sharp” inquiry into the issue, chaired by the retired high court judge Sir Peter Gibson, was instigated by David