The British government has apologised after admitting that US 'extraordinary rendition' flights had twice landed on British soil, contradicting earlier denials.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that on two occasions in 2002, US flights carrying terrorist suspects stopped to refuel at the airbase on the British Indian Ocean territory of Diego Garcia.
'Contrary to earlier explicit assurances that Diego Garcia had not been used for rendition flights, recent US investigations have now revealed two occasions, both in 2002, when this had in fact occurred,' Mr Miliband told parliament.
’In both cases a US plane with a single detainee on board refuelled at the US facility in Diego Garcia,’ he said.
The British government had previously repeatedly insisted that it was not aware of any British territory being used to transfer terrorism suspects outside normal extradition procedures since US President George W Bush took office in 2001.
The US has admitted to using the practice, which is known as ‘extraordinary rendition’.
Mr Miliband said he was very sorry indeed to have to correct earlier government denials on the basis of new information passed to Britain by the US government on 15 February.
British police said last year they had found no evidence to support claims that CIA planes transporting terrorism suspects to face possible torture in secret prisons in Europe landed illegally at British airports.
Mr Miliband said his concern about the case was shared by US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his disappointment and said he was determined to put safeguards in place so that similar incidents could not happen in future.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the statement would cause ‘widespread concern’ given the ‘categoric’ nature of previous assurances.
