HOOK: UK Must Come Clean On Torture Claims (South Central Region Liberal Democrats)

South Central Region Liberal Democrats <info@southcentrallibdems.org.uk>

HOOK: UK Must Come Clean On Torture Claims

February 8, 2009 9:37 PM

Reacting to today's revelations of threats made to British judges that the US might withdraw from intelligence co-operation with Britain, south east Liberal Democrat candidate for the European Parliament Antony Hook said, "It is an outrage if British citizens have been tortured anywhere in the world by anyone. It is even more serious if British or American agents have, as is alleged, been complicit in such an atrocity."

"American representatives threatening senior British judges is grossly contrary to the rule of law as it is understood on both side of the Atlantic. Many of the Founding Fathers of the USA were members of the English Inns of Court. It is hard to imagine that Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Adams would not be appalled that their Republic has acted so egregiously in this case."

"Nick Clegg is right to call for the British government to come clean over any complicity in the kidnapping, torture, and detention without trial of British residents."

"Gordon Brown must immediately publish all documents about this case."

Mr Hook also called for European solidarity over US intimidation,

"America might well feel able to live without co-operation with one European state such as Britain. It is important that all 27 states present a united front over this issue. We are stronger together as we face the problems posed in the world as it is today."