Tony Blair Knew of Secret Policy on Terror Interrogations

Letter reveals former PM was aware of guidance to UK agents

Tony Blair was aware of the existence of a secret interrogation policy which effectively led to British citizens, and others, being tortured during counter-terrorism investigations, the Guardian can reveal.

Former British Prime Minister and Middle East quartet representative Tony Blair in Washington, May 14, 2009. (REUTERS/Jason Reed/Files)

The policy, devised in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, offered guidance to MI5 and MI6 officers questioning detainees in Afghanistan who they knew were being mistreated by the US military.

British intelligence officers were given written instructions that they could not "be seen to condone" torture and that they must not "engage in any activity yourself that involves inhumane or degrading treatment of prisoners".

hey were also told they were not under any obligation to intervene to prevent detainees from being mistreat