PM welcomes inquiry into security services’ links to Gaddafi regime

DAVID CAMERON yesterday welcomed an investigation into “significant” accusations that the UK security services became “too close” to Libya.

DAVID CAMERON yesterday welcomed an investigation into “significant” accusations that the UK security services became “too close” to Libya.

Documents discovered in Tripoli following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s dictatoriship appear to suggest the UK traded information with Libya in return for intelligence extracted from terror suspects under interrogation in Libyan prisons.

The Gibson Inquiry – initially set up to look at cases of British nationals held at Guantanamo Bay – has announced it will “be considering allegations of UK involvement in rendition to Libya as part of our work”.

And former chairman of the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, Kim Howells, asked Sir Peter to “get to the truth”.

But he said the committee had been satisfied, after its own extensive inquiries, that there had been no illegal activity by UK intelligence services.

Dr Howells, who was MP for Pontypridd until last year, said: “I know there were close links between our intelligence services and the Libyan intelligence services.”

He said at the time there were fears that extremists were likely to attack British cities.

“I think there was an attempt by the security services and the intelligence services to try to get hold of any bit of information that might give a clue as to whether there were any bombers at large,” said Dr Howells.

Dr Howells said the engagement with Gaddafi was considered “quite an achievement” at the time.

He said it meant the Libyan dictator was steered away from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

“One wonders what the situation would be like in Libya now if he had those things,” said Dr Howells.

“When we looked very, very hard at these allegations of rendition we did not find that the intelligence services were guilty.

“We were absolutely satisfied that there had been no involvement in illegal rendition of detainees by the British intelligence services and I don’t believe that they did that.”

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the work of the security services but said it was important that allegations were investigated properly.

In a statement to MPs, he also warned that there must be “no pampered hiding place from justice” for the former Libyan dictator.

And he vowed that Nato would continue its military campaign “for as long as we are needed” to protect civilians from the remnants of loyalist forces.

“Significant accusations have been reported that under the last government, relations between the British and Libyan Security Services became too close, particularly in 2003,” he told the House.

“We have asked Sir Peter Gibson to examine issues around the detention and treatment of terrorist suspects overseas and the inquiry has already said it will look at these latest accusations very carefully.

“My concern throughout has been to deal with these accusations of malpractice so as to enable the security services to get on with the vital work they do.

“And because they cannot speak for themselves, let me put on record once against our enormous gratitude for all they do to keep our country safe.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband backed plans for the Gibson inquiry to fully investigate claims that MI6 was involved in the rendition of Libyan terror suspects.

“No part of the British state should ever be complicit in torture,” he said.

Mr Miliband also called for “transparency” in the way private companies operate in the oil industry in Libya to ensure deals “benefit the Libyan people”.

Last week Downing Street confirmed it had operated an oil cell to block supplies to Gaddafi and ensure rebels had access to fuel, using former oil trader-turned-minister Alan Duncan’s expertise.

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