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Miliband addressing torture claim Miliband defends secrecy stance
(30 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is making a statement to MPs about a Guantanamo Bay detainee behind claims Britain was complicit in torture. David Miliband has told MPs disclosing classified information provided by the US could do "real and significant damage" to British national security.
In a statement on Binyam Mohamed, a Guantanamo detainee who claims Britain was complicit in torture, he defended a decision not to release the US papers.
He denied the US "threatened" to end security cooperation.
The foreign secretary also told the Commons ministers "never condone, authorise or cooperate in torture".
He told MPs it was his judgement that "the disclosure of the intelligence documents at issue by order of UK courts against the wishes of the US authorities would indeed cause real and significant damage to the national security and international relations of this country".
He said that US willingness to share confidential intelligence with the UK would be harmed if they believed it might end up in the public domain.
Mr Miliband said the same applied to intelligence relationships with all countries Britain shared intelligence with.
Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian who lived in the UK, believes US papers detailing his treatment support his claims.Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian who lived in the UK, believes US papers detailing his treatment support his claims.
But the High Court ruled they should remain secret as Mr Miliband felt there was a risk to intelligence co-operation from the US if they were published.But the High Court ruled they should remain secret as Mr Miliband felt there was a risk to intelligence co-operation from the US if they were published.
Mr Miliband says he is protecting British security interests.
The government has insisted the UK never "condoned the use of torture".
'Sensitive information''Sensitive information'
In a statement, the White House thanked the UK government "for its continued commitment to protect sensitive national security information".In a statement, the White House thanked the UK government "for its continued commitment to protect sensitive national security information".
Mr Miliband insisted in a BBC interview on Wednesday he had not "rolled over" in the face of American pressure and was in fact protecting Britain's national interests.Mr Miliband insisted in a BBC interview on Wednesday he had not "rolled over" in the face of American pressure and was in fact protecting Britain's national interests.
It's very cruel from a person who is elected to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law Dr Benhur Mohamed Profile: Binyam MohamedTensions over Guantanamo caseIt's very cruel from a person who is elected to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law Dr Benhur Mohamed Profile: Binyam MohamedTensions over Guantanamo case
"If I authorise the sharing of information with another country I don't want them [the judges] to jeopardise our intelligence service by releasing that information against our will," he told the BBC's Newsnight."If I authorise the sharing of information with another country I don't want them [the judges] to jeopardise our intelligence service by releasing that information against our will," he told the BBC's Newsnight.
Binyam Mohamed, 30, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for four years after being accused by the US authorities of planning a terrorist attack.Binyam Mohamed, 30, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for four years after being accused by the US authorities of planning a terrorist attack.
He alleges he was tortured while being questioned in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan, and that UK intelligence agencies were complicit in the practice.He alleges he was tortured while being questioned in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan, and that UK intelligence agencies were complicit in the practice.
'No threat''No threat'
His US military lawyer said the US authorities were withholding information about her client's alleged torture in order to save face.His US military lawyer said the US authorities were withholding information about her client's alleged torture in order to save face.
On Wednesday, two British judges claimed that the US had threatened to stop sharing intelligence with the UK if it made public details of Mr Mohamed's treatment.On Wednesday, two British judges claimed that the US had threatened to stop sharing intelligence with the UK if it made public details of Mr Mohamed's treatment.
But the foreign secretary said there had been "no threat" from the US and insisted that intelligence co-operation "depends on confidentiality".But the foreign secretary said there had been "no threat" from the US and insisted that intelligence co-operation "depends on confidentiality".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Shadow security minister Dame Pauline Neville Jones, a former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said Mr Miliband was following the "established position" in not releasing US-owned information without the American government's consent.Shadow security minister Dame Pauline Neville Jones, a former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said Mr Miliband was following the "established position" in not releasing US-owned information without the American government's consent.
But she said she hoped both governments could look at the issue again and that the US government would decide it was right to release details in the public interest - while separating them from "sensitive" intelligence information.But she said she hoped both governments could look at the issue again and that the US government would decide it was right to release details in the public interest - while separating them from "sensitive" intelligence information.
"When there's a suggestion of wrongdoing we do have to try and find a way through," she told the BBC."When there's a suggestion of wrongdoing we do have to try and find a way through," she told the BBC.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the government should be able to protect some sensitive information but said it was "unacceptable" to conceal "the circumstances around the alleged torture of this individual".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the government should be able to protect some sensitive information but said it was "unacceptable" to conceal "the circumstances around the alleged torture of this individual".
"I think it smacks of a cover-up unless the government comes clean," he added."I think it smacks of a cover-up unless the government comes clean," he added.
'Feel betrayed''Feel betrayed'
Mr Mohamed's brother, Dr Benhur Mohamed, said he had written to Mr Miliband asking him to help his brother.Mr Mohamed's brother, Dr Benhur Mohamed, said he had written to Mr Miliband asking him to help his brother.
Dr Mohamed said it was "very cruel" of him not to reply.Dr Mohamed said it was "very cruel" of him not to reply.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mohamed said he believed Mr Miliband had failed to protect his brother's human rights.Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mohamed said he believed Mr Miliband had failed to protect his brother's human rights.
Miliband: 'We would never condone torture'Miliband: 'We would never condone torture'
"I did write to Mr Miliband, but I didn't get any answer from him," he said. "I was truly begging him to do something about Binyam, that was my plea, but I didn't hear anything."I did write to Mr Miliband, but I didn't get any answer from him," he said. "I was truly begging him to do something about Binyam, that was my plea, but I didn't hear anything.
"I feel very sad. I feel betrayed. It's very cruel from a person who is elected by the people to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law.""I feel very sad. I feel betrayed. It's very cruel from a person who is elected by the people to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law."
Dr Mohamed said his brother was a "quiet" and "helpful" person.Dr Mohamed said his brother was a "quiet" and "helpful" person.
"He is very supportive and very considerate. He is not the kind of person who would want to hurt anybody," he said."He is very supportive and very considerate. He is not the kind of person who would want to hurt anybody," he said.
The decision to block the release of information about his brother's detention was "unacceptable," Dr Mohamed added.The decision to block the release of information about his brother's detention was "unacceptable," Dr Mohamed added.