Torture flights: Tories' "liberal" claims empty

10.58.11am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Jun 2006

Welcoming the convincing vote for an interim report in the European Parliament's temporary committee on CIA 'extraordinary rendition' torture flights, in which MEPs express a belief that the practice has indeed taken place and that it is implausible that European governments were unaware, Liberal Democrat Vice-Chair of the Committee Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP said:

"The Committee and especially the Rapporteur have done a serious and professional job, and the conclusions are based on solid and well-researched evidence including flight logs and direct testimony of victims."

"Only people with their eyes wilfully shut could refuse to accept the highly persuasive findings. Unfortunately that includes right-wingers such as British Tory MEP Charles Tannock who voted against the report.

"Dr Tannock is sadly letting down his respected colleague Andrew Tyrie MP who runs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on extraordinary rendition at Westminster, highlighting how divided Conservatives are on human rights and undermining David Cameron's pretensions to be liberal.

"As the Committee turns to the second phase of its work, seeking answers from governments including on the secret prisons allegations, the united determination of national and Euro-MPs is essential."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The report was adopted by 25 votes to 14 with 7 abstentions.

The European People's Party (EPP) to which the British Conservative MEPs (currently) belong split three ways on the vote