Government apology over rendition - Liberal Democrats demand full inquiry

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 21st Feb 2008

Rendition plane

Liberal Democrats have demanded a full inquiry following the admission from the Government that two US extraordinary rendition flights stopped on the British territory of Diego Garcia. The Foreign Secretary said he was "very sorry" to have to say that previous denials were now having to be corrected. In answers to Ming Campbell the Government had denied knowledge of the use of British territory or airspace for the purposes of extraordinary rendition.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said "This is a stunning admission from the Government and represents a damning failure to protect British values and interests. It appears that the British government has been left completely in the dark over controversial US activities on British territory. This case may just be the tip of the iceberg. There is no alternative now but for a full inquiry into UK involvement in rendition flights."