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UK apology over rendition flights UK apology over rendition flights
(30 minutes later)
David Miliband has admitted two US "extraordinary rendition" flights landed on UK territory in 2002.David Miliband has admitted two US "extraordinary rendition" flights landed on UK territory in 2002.
In a statement to MPs the foreign secretary said in both cases, US planes stopped on the UK dependent territory of Diego Garcia to refuel. The foreign secretary said in both cases, US planes refuelled on the UK dependent territory of Diego Garcia.
He said he was "very sorry" to have to say that previous denials made in "good faith" were now having to be corrected.He said he was "very sorry" to have to say that previous denials made in "good faith" were now having to be corrected.
Mr Miliband said the flights had only come to light after a US records search and said the US shared the UK's regret. The renditions - the transport of terror suspects around the world for interrogation - only came to light after a US records search, he said.
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw and former prime minister Tony Blair made statements in 2005, 2006 and 2007 saying there was no evidence that rendition flights had stopped on UK territory.
Mr Miliband said the US had told him that neither of the two men involved in the rendition were British. One has since been released and one is at Guantanamo Bay.
BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the revelations were "a serious embarrassment for the British government".BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the revelations were "a serious embarrassment for the British government".
Not only is the US government supposed to ask permission for such flights, but assurances were given to Britain which led to misleading statements by ministers. Former foreign secretary Jack Straw and former prime minister Tony Blair made statements in 2005, 2006 and 2007 saying there was no evidence that rendition flights had stopped on UK territory.
Water boarding
Mr Miliband said the US had told him that neither of the two men involved in the rendition were British, neither left the plane and the US had "assured" him that no US detainees were ever held on Diego Garcia.
One of the men involved has since been released and one is at Guantanamo Bay.
We both agree that the mistakes made in these two cases are not acceptable David Miliband
Mr Miliband said the UK had been told neither of them had been involved in "secret detention centres" nor were subject to water boarding "or other similar forms of torture".
He said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shared his concern adding: "We both agree that the mistakes made in these two cases are not acceptable and she shares my deep regret that this information has only just come to light."
"Extraordinary rendition" is the term used by US intelligence agencies when they send terror suspects for interrogation by security officials in other countries, where they have no legal protection or rights under American law.
'Widespread concern'
The UK has always insisted that it expects America to seek its permission before rendering detainees through UK airspace and or territory.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the correction would cause "widespread concern" given the "categoric" nature of previous assurances.
But he accepted information had been provided "in good faith".
For the Lib Dems, Edward Davey said extraordinary rendition was "state sponsored abduction" and the government must ensure that Britain was not used to "facilitate" it.
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the admission was a "gross embarrassment" and said it could mean Britain had broken its moral obligations and legal responsibilities.
'Loss of confidence'
In September 2006, US Secretary of State Rice said: "The United States has respected - and continues to respect the sovereignty of other countries.
"The United States does not report, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture."
BBC World affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said that not only is the US government supposed to ask permission for such flights, but assurances were given to Britain which led to misleading statements by ministers.
He said it was "bound to lead to a further loss of confidence in the word of the US" with "the only mitigating factor" being "that the US volunteered the information".He said it was "bound to lead to a further loss of confidence in the word of the US" with "the only mitigating factor" being "that the US volunteered the information".