The UK has announced an inquiry into allegations that its security services have been complicit in the mistreatment of prisoners.

A judge-led inquiry will be held into allegations that security services in the UK were complicit in the torture of terror suspects.

The UK Prime Minister told MPs that there have been around a dozen cases brought to court regarding the actions of UK personnel, including the witnessing of mistreatment such as the use of hoods and shackles – and these have led to accusations that Britain may have been complicit in the mistreatment of detainees.

UK government support

David Cameron said: “While there is no evidence that any British officer was directly engaged in torture, in the aftermath of 9/11 there are questions over the degree to which British officers were working with foreign security services who were treating detainees in ways they should not have done.

“The longer these questions remain unanswered, the bigger the stain on our reputation as a country that believes in freedom, and fairness, and human rights. That’s why I’m determined to get to the bottom of what happened.”

The inquiry, to be chaired by Sir Peter Gibson, can only begin once any outstanding criminal and civil cases have closed. If UK security services are found to have been complicit in certain cases, David Cameron has promised the victims compensation.

MP Tom Brake, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs, Justice and Equality, said: “This inquiry will be the coalition Government’s opportunity to get to the bottom of what are very serious allegations levelled at our security services. From Iraq to accusations of Government complicity in torture, Labour has left Britain’s international reputation in tatters.

“Hopefully, the implementation of this key Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge, with access to all relevant material and people, will start the process of restoring Britain’s standing in the world.”

Concerns from human rights groups

Human rights groups have long campaigned for this result, however although they all welcomed the inquiry, many have their reservations.

Here is a selection of comments from leading human rights activists:

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty
“This inquiry can only be credible with the broadest remit, the most public proceedings possible and by full engagement with victims, witnesses and lawyers. Any attempt to exempt intelligence from legal scrutiny is an attempt to exempt the security services from the rule of law.”

Clive Stafford Smith, Executive Director of Reprieve
“This inquiry is welcome but the devil is in the detail: the idea that this inquiry must be heard in private is misguided and wrong. For too long our politicians have confused national security with national embarrassment. This creeping secrecy is the scourge of any open democracy and must be stopped if we are to rebuild trust in our government and our reputation overseas. This inquiry is welcome but will only succeed if it is conducted with a genuine commitment to transparency and openness.”

Alice Wyss, UK Researcher for Amnesty International
“Amnesty International would like to note its concern with aspects of the Prime Minister’s statement, including that secrecy may too frequently come before truth and real accountability. Allegations of grave human rights violations merit, indeed require, full, thorough, independent and impartial investigations and we hope that the inquiry proposed today will achieve that.”