UK torture inquiry slated

THE inquiry into British complicity in allegations of torture lacks credibility and threatens to be a "waste of time and public money", campaigners said as they declared they would take no part in it yesterday.

Human rights groups and lawyers said they intended to pull out of Sir Peter Gibson's inquiry following the announcement last month that the final decision on whether material can be made public will rest with the government.

In a joint letter to the inquiry solicitor, ten groups, including Liberty, Reprieve and Amnesty International said they did not intend to submit any evidence or attend any further meetings.