London: The British government was hiding behind a "wall of secrecy" over allegations security agents colluded in the torture of terrorism suspects, an influential committee of lawmakers said Tuesday.
The Joint Committee on Human Rights urged an independent inquiry into claims of British knowledge of use of torture on suspects held overseas, branding government
accountability of the issues "woefully deficient."
In a report, the committee said such an inquiry was the only way of restoring public confidence in intelligence and security agencies MI5 and MI6 in the wake of the
"extremely serious" allegations in the "war on terror".
"An independent inquiry is the only way to get to the bottom of these stories, clear the air and make recommendations for the future conduct and management of the security services," the report said.
"The recent allegations should be a wake-up call to ministers that the current arrangements are not satisfactory.
"We look to the government to respond positively to our recommendations and not to continue to hide behind their wall of secrecy."
Lawmakers also urged the government to follow the US, by releasing any instructions given to agents on questioning and detention of suspects overseas and legal
advice about the issues.
Bureau Report
