Whitehall alarm as secret papers from Libya link UK spy agencies to torture

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Pressure was mounting for tougher and more effective oversight of Britain's intelligence agencies as the disclosure of secret documents in Tripoli appeared to provoke panic and disarray across Whitehall.

With confidential papers from Libya raising important questions about the conduct of MI5 and MI6, particularly regarding the rendition of prisoners to countries where they faced torture, MPs said the system of scrutiny had to be changed.

A forthcoming inquiry into the UK's involvement in the torture and abuse of detainees, chaired by the retired judge Sir Peter Gibson, said it would investigate the latest allegations, which involve the capture and transfer to Tripoli in 2004 of two Libyan dissidents opposed to the Gaddafi regime. In a Commons statement on Monday, David Cameron welcomed the move to investigate the new "accusations of malpractice" and said ministers from the last government would have to answer for what happened.

Ed Miliband also urged the Gibson inquiry, which has been heavily criticised for lacking teeth, to "get to the bottom of the allegations... no part of the British state may ever be complicit in torture".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/05/whitehall-papers-libya-spy-agencies-torture

[wtmusic]

1. "Malpractice" sounds a lot better than torture.

Can we just call it that from now on?

[bemildred]

2. Libyan fighter wants apology for rendition

The relationship between Britain, the US and Muammar Gaddafi is being laid bare by a series of secret documents found in Tripoli.

The latest appears to show how Western intelligence agencies worked with Gaddafi's spies. Now a commander of the fighters who overthrew Gaddafi says he wants an apology from Britain and the US.

Abdul Hakim Belhaj says that in 2004 he was taken from Thailand to Tripoli by the CIA - where he was tortured by Gaddafi's agents. He says some of his first visitors there were British agents, hoping to pick up information about Libyans in the UK.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/201195202722221184.html

[Deep13]

3. oops. nt

[tpsbmam]

4. Happy to be the 5th rec on this -- I have a feeling this is the tip of the iceberg

with more to come about the UK and the USA.

[Canuckistanian]

5. Big news here in Canada

I've heard two reports about this on CBC. This is looking bad for Brit and American intelligence agencies.

[No Elephants]

6. If McCain had succeeded Bush, would Democrats be crying out for prosecution?

Word to our lawyer President, Obama, and our nation's chief prosecuter, Holder: every single prosecution that has ever occurred in all of human history required looking back.

There's nothing noble in looking forward when it comes to violation of treaties, domestic law and crimes against humanity.

Or lying a nation into war.