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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Police probe MI6 'torture' claims | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police are investigating an incident involving an MI6 officer for possible complicity in torture. | Police are investigating an incident involving an MI6 officer for possible complicity in torture. |
| This follows referral of the incident to Attorney General Baroness Scotland by MI6 - the Secret Intelligence Service - on its own initiative. | This follows referral of the incident to Attorney General Baroness Scotland by MI6 - the Secret Intelligence Service - on its own initiative. |
| Scotland Yard said it had been asked to investigate "the conditions under which a non-Briton was held" and "potential involvement of British personnel". | Scotland Yard said it had been asked to investigate "the conditions under which a non-Briton was held" and "potential involvement of British personnel". |
| Police are already probing claims MI5 was complicit in the abuse of a man. | |
| UK resident Binyam Mohamed claims that an officer from MI5 - the Security Service - was complicit in his torture while he was in US custody in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan. | UK resident Binyam Mohamed claims that an officer from MI5 - the Security Service - was complicit in his torture while he was in US custody in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan. |
| Human rights | |
| The new investigation, which police say is unrelated to Mr Mohamed, was announced in a letter from Foreign Secretary David Miliband to shadow foreign secretary William Hague. | |
| Mr Miliband wrote: "It is for the police to investigate. The government cannot comment further both to avoid prejudice and to protect the individuals involved. | Mr Miliband wrote: "It is for the police to investigate. The government cannot comment further both to avoid prejudice and to protect the individuals involved. |
| "The scope and handling of any police investigation is a matter for the police themselves." | "The scope and handling of any police investigation is a matter for the police themselves." |
| We need to know where and when this occurred, and what kind of incident is being investigated Ed DaveyLiberal Democrat spokesman | |
| But he stressed that the government "wholeheartedly condemns torture". | But he stressed that the government "wholeheartedly condemns torture". |
| "We will not condone it. Neither will we ever ask others to do it on our behalf. | "We will not condone it. Neither will we ever ask others to do it on our behalf. |
| "This is not mere rhetoric but a principled stance consistent with our unequivocal commitment to human rights." | "This is not mere rhetoric but a principled stance consistent with our unequivocal commitment to human rights." |
| He added: "We are fortunate to have the best security and intelligence services and armed forces in the world. | He added: "We are fortunate to have the best security and intelligence services and armed forces in the world. |
| "We are all safer because of the work they do with integrity and bravery." | "We are all safer because of the work they do with integrity and bravery." |
| 'Rotten business' | |
| In response to the letter, Mr Hague said: "It is very important that any such allegations are thoroughly investigated. | In response to the letter, Mr Hague said: "It is very important that any such allegations are thoroughly investigated. |
| "Torture or complicity in torture is unacceptable, immoral and counter-productive." | "Torture or complicity in torture is unacceptable, immoral and counter-productive." |
| Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey called for a full judicial inquiry into the UK authorities' possible complicity in torture. | Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey called for a full judicial inquiry into the UK authorities' possible complicity in torture. |
| Binyam Mohamed has claimed MI5 was complicit in his alleged torture | |
| "Given the gravity and number of allegations of UK complicity in torture, separate limited police investigations alone are inadequate," he said. | "Given the gravity and number of allegations of UK complicity in torture, separate limited police investigations alone are inadequate," he said. |
| He also argued that more details of the latest probe that were "vital matters of public interest" could be released without prejudicing the case. | He also argued that more details of the latest probe that were "vital matters of public interest" could be released without prejudicing the case. |
| "At the very least we need to know where and when this occurred, and what kind of incident is being investigated," Mr Davey said. | "At the very least we need to know where and when this occurred, and what kind of incident is being investigated," Mr Davey said. |
| "We also need to know what has suddenly prompted this apparent outbreak of conscience at MI6. Otherwise, the public may feel information is being kept secret to save political embarrassment." | "We also need to know what has suddenly prompted this apparent outbreak of conscience at MI6. Otherwise, the public may feel information is being kept secret to save political embarrassment." |
| Shami Chakrabarti, director of campaign group Liberty, said only an independent judicial inquiry would resolve "this rotten business". | |
| She said: "Whilst it is commendable that both security services appear to be referring suspected cases of complicity in torture to the police, the scale of the problem is alarming. | |
| "Criminal investigations into individual officers don't reveal what ministers knew or authorised, or how to improve guidance for the future." | |
| Human rights group Amnesty International also backed calls for a "comprehensive" investigation. | |
| Campaigns director Tim Hancock said: "Now that both MI5 and MI6 agents are under investigation and more voices join the chorus of those alleging UK collusion in torture, surely it is time for a more comprehensive investigation?" |