MEPs GIVE STAMP OF APPROVAL TO CIA REPORT - LUDFORD

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Jul 2006

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to pass the Fava report into alleged torture rendition flights conducted by the CIA. Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, vice-chair of the CIA Committee, said:

"Parliament's committee has done a serious job, cooperating with the Council of Europe investigation but taking that forward with a special focus on EU and candidate states. Allegations have now moved beyond speculation to establishing a credible prima facie case. All Member State governments suspected of complicity, including the UK, now have a legal duty to conduct their own enquiries to shed more light on these events."

"I'm baffled by British Conservative members who wilfully refuse to accept the evidence. They are contradicting their own colleagues at Westminster such as Andrew Tyrie who is doing sterling work leading the all-party group on extraordinary rendition calling for an inquiry. They are arrogant enough to second-guess the US Supreme Court which has itself called George Bush to heel over breaches to the rule of law."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The report was passed by 389 votes to 137, with 55 abstentions.