UK Defense Ministry Accused Of Creating Illegal Secret Torture Policy - Reports

The UK Defence Ministry has been accused of developing a secret policy on torture in violation of domestic and international laws related to intelligence-sharing, The Times newspaper reported on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th May, 2019) The UK Defence Ministry has been accused of developing a secret policy on torture in violation of domestic and international laws related to intelligence-sharing, The Times newspaper reported on Monday.

The news outlet noted that a Defence Ministry document, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and dated November 2018, allowed ministers to approve the passing of information on detainees to allies, even if there was the risk of torture, if the potential benefits justified it.

On Sunday, an ex-chairwoman of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales slammed the Defence Ministry for supporting this practice, while David Davis, a former UK cabinet minister, urged Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt to abolish the secret torture policy as it "betrayed" UK values, the newspaper said.