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UK apology over rendition flights UK apology over rendition flights
(20 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.
The foreign secretary said in both cases, US planes refuelled on the UK dependent territory of Diego Garcia. 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.
The renditions - the transport of terror suspects around the world for interrogation - only came to light after a US records search, he said.The renditions - the transport of terror suspects around the world for interrogation - only came to light after a US records search, he said.
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".
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.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 boardingWater 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.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.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 MilibandWe 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 interrogation".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 interrogation".
He said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shared his "deep regret" about mistakes in the two cases.He said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shared his "deep regret" about mistakes in the two cases.
"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."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''Widespread concern'
The UK has always insisted that it expects the US to seek its permission before rendering detainees through UK airspace and or territory.The UK has always insisted that it expects the US to seek its permission before rendering detainees through UK airspace and or territory.
Later Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "It is unfortunate that this was not known and it was unfortunate it happened without us knowing that it had happened but it's important to put in procedures [to ensure] this will not happen again."Later Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "It is unfortunate that this was not known and it was unfortunate it happened without us knowing that it had happened but it's important to put in procedures [to ensure] this will not happen again."
He added: "We share the disappointment that everybody has about what's actually happened."He added: "We share the disappointment that everybody has about what's actually happened."
The truth is this is a gross embarrassment in spite of its good faith for the British government, involving as it does a breach of our moral obligations and possibly our legal responsibilities as well Sir Menzies CampbellFormer Lib Dem leader The truth is this is a gross embarrassment for the British government Sir Menzies CampbellFormer Lib Dem leader
In the Commons, William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said: "This information will cause widespread concern given the categoric nature of the assurances previously given.In the Commons, William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said: "This information will cause widespread concern given the categoric nature of the assurances previously given.
"Assurances we entirely accept were given in good faith although they have turned out to be false. More worrying still, it means that very specific assurances about the use of the facilities at Diego Garcia have also turned out, although given in good faith, to have been false.""Assurances we entirely accept were given in good faith although they have turned out to be false. More worrying still, it means that very specific assurances about the use of the facilities at Diego Garcia have also turned out, although given in good faith, to have been false."
Legal responsibilities
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.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.
'Mitigating factor'
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell added: "The truth is this is a gross embarrassment, in spite of its good faith, for the British government, involving as it does a breach of our moral obligations and possibly our legal responsibilities as well."Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell added: "The truth is this is a gross embarrassment, in spite of its good faith, for the British government, involving as it does a breach of our moral obligations and possibly our legal responsibilities as well."
In September 2006, US Secretary of State Rice said: "The United States has respected - and continues to respect the sovereignty of other countries.
The US/Bush administration has clearly misled or lied to our government Mike GapesForeign affairs committee
"The United States does not report, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture."
BBC correspondent Paul Reynolds said that not only was the US government supposed to ask permission for such flights, but assurances were given to Britain which led to misleading statements by ministers.BBC correspondent Paul Reynolds said that not only was 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".
Labour MP Mike Gapes was annoyed that concerns raised by the foreign affairs select committee, which he chairs, had previously met with the response that the US "would not render anyone through UK airspace, including overseas territories". Labour MP Mike Gapes, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, told MPs the US administration "has clearly misled or lied to our government, [which] has resulted in our government misleading... members of this House."
He told MPs the US administration "has clearly misled or lied to our government, [which] has resulted in our government misleading... members of this House."
He added: "This is a most serious matter and we do not wish to see it repeated."He added: "This is a most serious matter and we do not wish to see it repeated."
Mr Miliband said information and assurances had been given "in good faith" by the US authorities but it was important to ensure the procedures were in place to make sure this did not happen again. Torture claims 'false'
Mr Miliband said information and assurances had been given "in good faith" by the US authorities but it was important to ensure it did not happen again.
In a statement CIA director Mike Hayden said neither of the two men "was ever part of CIA's high-value terrorist interrogation program"
He added: "These were rendition operations, nothing more. There has been speculation in the press over the years that CIA had a holding facility on Diego Garcia. That is false. There have also been allegations that we transport detainees for the purpose of torture. That, too, is false.
"Torture is against our laws and our values. And, given our mission, CIA could have no interest in a process destined to produce bad intelligence."
He added that the CIA had been "in the wrong" over the information given to the UK and said it was important to "take responsibility for errors and to learn from them".