A former minister and a leading QC have joined human rights campaigners in condemning a secret Government policy on intelligence-sharing which critics say could lead to the abuse of detainees.
A freedom of information request from the Rendition Project has shown that an internal Ministry of Defence (MoD) policy document allows ministers to approve passing information to allies, even if there is a risk of torture.
The Guardian says that the “discreetly rewritten” document “does not completely rule out obtaining intelligence via the illegal practice”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The MoD policy states “that there might be circumstances where ministers can authorise intelligence-sharing where there is serious risk of torture”, says Kirsty Brimelow, former chairwoman of the Bar human rights committee.
There has been widespread alarm over the revelation, not least from Brimelow herself. “The law on prohibition of torture, without exception, is clear and established internationally and nationally. So this document is supporting ministers breaking the law by use of their executive power,” she said.
Human rights organisation Reprieve says the policy “not only permits action which could expose officials or ministers to civil and criminal liability, but actively acknowledges that such action may be unlawful, while suggesting officials and ministers may continue regardless”.
Writing in The Times, former cabinet minister David Davis called on new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt to scrap the policy, saying it “betrayed” British values. “Torture never works and is always wrong... Does the British government never learn?” he asks.
However, some have defended the policy. Lord Carlile of Berriew, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told The Times it is “a proportionate approach to difficult questions, which will arise rarely. It is not in breach of international law”.
The MoD said: “All our policy and activities in this area comply with the Cabinet Office’s consolidated guidance.”
-
August 24 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Putin at Donald Trump's circus, gallons of whitewash, and a foldable cartoon
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in votingCartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugsTalking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
-
Is Henry Kissinger right about Ukraine?Speed Read The US statesman made a controversial speech at a virtual Davos appearance last week
-
Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused evacuation as Russian hitmen ‘parachuted’ into KyivSpeed Read Ukrainian president turned down opportunity to leave capital despite threat to life, adviser claims
-
America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan: a retreat into isolationism?Speed Read ‘In his selfish unilateralism’, Biden is no better than Trump, said The Daily Telegraph
-
The ‘heat dome’: blistering temperatures in the Pacific Northwest should act as a wake-up callSpeed Read People are used to hearing of record-high temperatures in desert states such as Nevada or Arizona, but not in verdant Washington and Oregon
-
Royal Marines ready to ‘disrupt and confuse’ enemiesSpeed Read Military chief says operating in area between peace and war could prevent all-out conflict
-
US Secret Service screening inauguration troops for riot sympathisersSpeed Read National Guard members under investigation as mob member claims GOP lawmakers aided Capitol siege
-
Plea for public to help find secret Second World War bunkersSpeed Read Hundreds of ‘Scallywag’ underground hideouts lie undiscovered in British countryside
-
GCHQ unveils annual Christmas card puzzle - can you solve it?Speed Read Spy agency challenges ‘wise men and women’ to take on bauble brainteaser
