Committee have been given antiseptic tour of Guantanamo - Teather

11.19.34am GMT Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Commenting on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee's report following their visit to Guantanamo Bay, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather said:

"The committee appear to have been given the VIP antiseptic tour of the camp.

"Their comments on improved conditions of late are reflected in lawyers' reports. However, the committee appear to have taken little account of recent reports of mental torture and psychological abuse.

"The committee were given no direct access to prisoners, and they do not appear to have taken evidence either from former detainees, or lawyers or families of current detainees."

"After previously strongly condemning extraordinary rendition, I am surprised to read an apparently contradictory endorsement of the Government's position on British residents in Guantanamo.

"The report gives very little consideration to the situation of British residents. Did they consider the status of refugees who have no other government to represent them? If not, why not?

"Four years on we are no closer to justice for those who have been denied a trial. Families will be rightly disappointed by this report."

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