'Torture flight' probe under way, Foulkes tells Salmond

Published on Monday 11 June 2007 14:35

A LABOUR peer today gave the Scottish Executive details of a probe being carried out into alleged secret rendition flights.

Lothians MSP Lord Foulkes said he made the move to forestall future "misunderstanding" between Holyrood and Westminster.

The probe is being carried out by the Government Intelligence and Security Committee, of which Lord Foulkes is a member.

First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday that the Executive was ready to look at evidence that Scottish airports have been used by CIA rendition flights.

Mr Salmond's move came after a report by police chiefs concluded Britain did not allow CIA "torture flights" to use its airports to take terror suspects out of Europe.

Lord Foulkes, who has criticised Mr Salmond in the row over an alleged deal struck between Britain and Libya over prisoner exchange, said: "I phoned Mr Salmond's office this morning so there is no doubt or misunderstanding.

"There already is an inquiry being conducted by the intelligence and security committee.

"It will cover Scotland as well, and I think it's important that the Scottish Executive knows that before it decided whether a further inquiry is necessary."