Government continues to scorn truth on CIA torture flights

9.34.50am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 20th Jul 2006

London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP and peer Baroness Sarah Ludford today criticised the Blair government for its continued refusal to investigate British involvement in secret CIA torture flights.

In her speech in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Sarah Ludford, also Vice-Chair of the European Parliament committee investigating allegations of extraordinary rendition, said:

"It is not enough to be passive or to be wilfully ignorant. I suggest that that would betray this country's reputation for upholding human rights obligations"

Sarah Ludford commented:

"There is sufficient evidence of extraordinary rendition having taken place in and through the UK and other EU states to warrant a proactive government investigation."

"British people have a right to know whether their government actively colluded in this sinister practice of torture flights, or whether they have simply turned a blind eye. Government bluster does not disguise the need for thorough investigation."

Notes:

The full text of Sarah Ludford's speech is available at

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60718-1009.htm#060718122000037 Column 1213