Libya

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and Local Government – in the House of Commons at 3:32 pm on 5 September 2011.

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Photo of Jack Straw Jack Straw Labour, Blackburn 3:32, 5 September 2011

I endorse the remarks of my right hon. Friend Edward Miliband in praising the leadership that the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers have shown during the whole of this period. There is no doubt that that was decisive in securing international co-operation and in following it through.

On the allegations that have been made overnight, as Foreign Secretary at the time, may I say two things? First, as the Prime Minister knows, it was the consistent policy of the previous Government, as it is of his, to be wholly opposed to any complicity in torture, ill treatment or unlawful rendition. Secondly, given the serious nature of the allegations, it is entirely right that they should be examined in every detail by the inquiry under Sir Peter Gibson.