Serious questions for Jack Straw over judge’s torture criticism says Davey

6.06.00pm GMT Fri 26th Feb 2010

Commenting on the publication of a judge’s criticism of the security services, which stated that some officials ‘appear to have a dubious record when it comes to human rights and coercive techniques’, and that while ‘the good faith of the Foreign Secretary is not in question’, there is ‘an obvious reason for distrusting any UK Government assurance’ on mistreatment, Edward Davey said:

“The implication that David Miliband had the wool pulled over his eyes is deeply embarrassing for the Foreign Secretary.

“However, the suggestion that he acted in good faith means the real questions need to be answered by others in Government. Did former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw sign off on the ‘coercive techniques’ referred to in the judgement?

“The suggestion that there were others in the security services involved in unacceptable practices makes the need for a full judicial inquiry irrefutable.

“But it must be asked how appropriate it is for Jack Straw to remain in charge of this country’s justice system when there are such serious questions laid at his door.”