Met Police study claims of 'UK link to torture'

CLAIMS that the UK security service was complicit in the torture of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident in Guantanamo Bay, are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

Investigating officers have applied to the courts for the release of secret government documents to help in their inquiries, the High Court in London heard yesterday.

Saudi-born Mr Aamer is accusing British intelligence officers of being present and doing nothing to help him when he suffered torture while in US custody at Bagram airport in Afghanistan.

Mr Aamer, 42, is also a central witness in the allegations being made by Binyam Mohamed that British agents knew of his ill-treatment while held by the United States, said a QC.

A permanent UK resident, Mr Aamer is married to a British national, who lives with their four children in London. He has been detained by the US authorities as a terrorist suspect for more than seven years, but has never been charged with any offence.

His lawyers hope the Metropolitan Police criminal investigation will speed his release from Guantanamo, so he can give evidence to the police in person.

His QC, Richard Hermer, said police visited the London offices of his solicitors, Birnberg Peirce & Partners, on Wednesday to discuss the investigation.

Mr Hermer said: "It became apparent they are now investigating allegations raised by Mr Aamer."