Updated on
Summary A British inquiry will examine claims that MI6 was involved in rendition of suspects to Libya
Prime Minister David Cameron set up the Gibson inquiry in July 2010 to probe allegations that members of Britains intelligence agency were complicit in the torture of extremists on foreign soil after the September 11 2001 attacks on the United States.The inquiry had focused on Guantanamo Bay detainees but decided to examine British links to the ousted Libyan regime after the discovery at the weekend of files in Tripoli which suggested MI6 involvement in rendition to Libya.Abdelhakim Belhaj, now the Libyan rebels military commander in Tripoli, has demanded an apology after the files suggested Britain and the US were complicit in a plan that led to his illegal transfer to Libya and subsequent torture.Belhaj was named as a senior member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which fought to overthrow Gaddafi. It had historical ties to al-Qaeda.The inquiry is looking at the extent of the UK government involvement in or awareness of improper treatment of detainees including rendition, a spokesperson for the inquiry, headed by retired judge Peter Gibson, said in a statement.We will therefore of course be considering these allegations of UK involvement in rendition to Libya as part of our work. We will be seeking more information from the government and its agencies as soon as possible.
