Britain
David Cameron announces torture inquiry
David Cameron today announced an independent judicial inquiry into allegations of British complicity in the torture of detainees held by other countries in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
Cameron told the House of Commons an inquiry was necessary "to restore Britain's moral leadership in the world", and would start once legal proceedings involving former Guantanamo Bay detainees was resolved.
Cameron indicated that the government was ready to pursue mediation in relation to these cases and, where appropriate, offer compensation in order to settle them.
He said it was hoped that the inquiry, chaired by former appeal court judge Sir Peter Gibson, would report within a year.
Cameron said there was "no evidence" that any intelligence officer was directly involved in torture, but there was evidence that officers may have witnessed mistreatment "such as the use of hoods or shackles".
"The longer these questions remain unanswered, the bigger the stain on our reputation as a country that believes in freedom, fairness and human rights grows," Cameron told the Commons.
(Published by The Guardian July 6, 2010)