European Parliament slams the British Government over rendition

12.30.00pm GMT Fri 16th Feb 2007

Earlier this week the European parliament accused EU governments including Britain, Germany and Italy of turning a blind eye to CIA flights taking terror suspects to countries where they might be tortured. A report that was adopted by 382 votes to 256, with 74 abstentions, criticises Britain for cooperating with the CIA in sending three UK residents on rendition fights.

Amnesty International's UK campaigns director, Tim Hancock, said the British government should allow an independent investigation. "There is already serious concern at the possible complicity of UK officials in the rendition of two UK residents, Bisher al-Rawi and Jamil el-Banna, from Gambia to Guantanamo Bay," he said. Tory MP Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on rendition, said countries involved must "come clean on what they know, and fast".