Independent inquiry demanded into UK involvement in illegal abductions

5.56.00pm GMT Sat 8th Mar 2008

Prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay - one of the locations where illegally abducted and kidnapped 'extraordinary rendition' prisoners hve been taken

The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government set up a full independent inquiry into British involvement with the US practice of 'extraordinary rendition'.

ED Davey MP - proposed the emergency motion

Edward Davey, the party's Shadow Foreign Secretary, proposed the emergency motion, which was given an overwhelming endorsement by conference representatives.

The motion condemns extraordinary rendition as amounting 'to abduction or kidnap which is illegal under international law.'

It follows the Foreign Secretary's recent statement to the House of Commons that in 2002 two US rendition flights carrying terror suspects landed at the US military air base at Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The party is urging the Government to continue to demand further evidence from the United States authorities on allegations concerning other flights that have been involved in rendition of any form.