MI5 and MI6 are ‘unaccountable’, report says

MI5 and MI6 are “woefully” unaccountable”, a committee of MPs and peers has claimed, as it called for a public inquiry into allegations of torture.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights said the structures for supervision were woefully deficient and accused ministers of refusing to give adequate answers to its detailed questions about torture.

It said “ministers are determined to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny and accountability” over allegations of complicity in torture, and concluded: “In view of the large number of unanswered questions… there is now no other way to restore public confidence in the intelligence services than by setting up an independent inquiry.”

The committee urged ministers to publish the instructions given to security service officers on the detention and interviewing of detainees overseas.

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