Binyam Mohamed judgment re-opened
By politics.co.uk staff
The two judges at the Binyam Mohamed case have taken the unusual step of reopening their judgment.
The pair were forced to leave out sections of their judgment in the case after the Foreign Office said it would prompt a rupture with US intelligence agencies.
The two agreed to do so but said it was important the sections were released for reasons of freedom of speech, democratic accountability and the rule of law.
Since then more documents have been received, including submissions from Mr Mohamed’s lawyer and foreign secretary David Miliband.
Mr Miliband is to be given a final opportunity to present evidence to the court to explain why he wishes to continue to suppress the details of Mr Mohamed’s treatment.
The court will then reconsider whether it will publish those details. It is anticipated that the issue will finally be determined in June.
“The foreign secretary should stop prevaricating and bring this saga to an end,” said shadow foreign secretary William Hague.
“As we have said all along, he should take the simple step of asking the new Obama administration for the right to release the controversial paragraphs.
“The foreign secretary’s refusal to take this simple step is baffling and does nothing to dispel allegations of Britain’s complicity in torture or the government’s attempt to cover it up.”
Edward Davey, Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, suggested the case could make the foreign secretary’s position untenable.
“This return to court is humiliating for David Miliband,” he said.
“If the judges were to rule for full disclosure it would leave serious question marks over his position as well as being a great day for British justice.”
Mr Mohamed claims he was tortured in Morocco with the complicity of British security agents.
