Reprieve’s secret prisons investigator Tim Cooke Hurle said: “The previous Government’s addiction to secrecy has eroded public trust in politicians and in our security services.  We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement, but without openness, transparency, and frank disclosure this inquiry will be seen as a whitewash. We cannot learn from history unless we know what it is.”

Reprieve’s Executive Director Clare Algar said: “Reprieve is delighted by the announcement of a judge-led inquiry into allegations of torture complicity by our intelligence services. It is essential that this inquiry look at the official policy and rules under which British agents were operating. A new version of the rules has been published today, but the fact that the government refuses to publish the old rules suggests that they were embarrassing if not illegal. The inquiry must address this, in public, if we are to learn from our mistakes.”

Reprieve’s Executive Director Clive Stafford Smith said: “This inquiry is welcome but the devil is in the detail: the idea that this inquiry must be heard in private is misguided and wrong. For too long our politicians have confused national security with national embarrassment. This creeping secrecy is the scourge of any open democracy and must be stopped if we are to rebuild trust in our government and our reputation overseas. This inquiry is welcome but will only succeed if it is conducted with a genuine commitment to transparency and openness.”

Further to Reprieve’s comments welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement, here are our concerns about the proposed inquiry into allegations of torture complicity:

1. Secrecy: The scourge of the last government was the fact that they tried to cover up all the facts relating to torture complicity cases.  In particular, the Binyam Mohamed litigation revolved around the government claiming public interest immunity in materials which were simply embarrassing.  Now, the Prime Minister is saying that much of this inquiry will be held in secret.  The only way in which public confidence is going to be restored in the intelligence services is if the public is able to see this inquiry functioning properly.
2. Government control over publication: It looks as though the judge is going to see everything but the Prime Minister is going to decide what is made public.  Therefore we will only see what the government wants us to see. This was the problem with the last government, and as long as politicians are making these decisions the national embarrassment/national security problem will remain.
3. Avoiding the Inquiries Act 2005: This inquiry will deliberately not be held under the Inquiries Act – why? The Baha Mousa inquiry was held under the Act and has been a model of an inquiry functioning efficiently, including the hearing of secret evidence. Under the Government’s plan, there is no formal mechanism for civil participation — so Reprieve and other civil organisation will not be allowed access to documents and proceedings. Under the Inquiries Act, document classification review proceedings are sophisticated and rightly allow the judge to balance the need for national security against the need for transparency. The Government’s plan must offer an equivalent mechanism.
4. Official policy governing intelligence agents: The new policy, or guidance, has been published – what about the previous policy?  The fact that the previous policy has not been published suggests that there is something within it to be hidden.  The judge will see that, but will we?  Will we know whether unlawful acts carried out in the past were authorised by that policy / guidance?
5. New Policy is unlawful: Because it allows ministers to authorise torture. This is illegal under the Convention Against Torture. Was this clause also in the previous guidance? If so then ministers must be held accountable for allegations of complicity in torture.
6. Delay: until after civil claims settled and criminal cases resolved.  This is supposed to have happened by the end of this year.  Will all claims and the prosecution be dealt with in the next 6 months?  If so, the civil claims must be settled – this will mean that the claimants will be paid off and that no disclosure / documents will come out of those cases.  This, together with a secret inquiry will mean that information will never reach the public.
7. Deference to the ‘Control Principle’: There is going to be a Green Paper as to how intelligence, especially foreign intelligence, will be treated in Court.  There is already ample opportunity (much increased recently) for evidence to be heard in secret.  There is no need to expand this dangerous practice.

Photo courtesy of John Tiberi

In commemoration of Malcolm McLaren’s life, his family have chosen the Humanade foundation because of its efforts in supporting highly significant human rights issues and abuses and its efforts in addressing those. People who would like to make a donation as a result of Malcolm’s death or instead of sending flowers can do so on this site.

We have also produced a commemorative T Shirt with his famous slogan “CASH FROM CHAOS” in homage to the one he wore during his famous performance of “YOU NEED HANDS” by Max Bygraves (written by Roy Irwin) in the film “The Great Rock N Roll Swindle” the scene was appropriately filmed in Highgate Cemetery which will be his final resting place.

All profits from the T Shirts will be donated to Humanade which will go directly to the various causes it supports.

Yours sincerely

Joseph Corré

T-Shirt Tribute

A Child of the Jago have produced a commemorative T-shirt with Malcolm McLaren’s famous slogan “CASH FROM CHAOS” in homage to the one he wore during his famous performance of “YOU NEED HANDS” by Max Bygraves (written by Roy Irwin) in the film “The Great Rock N Roll Swindle” the scene was appropriately filmed in Highgate Cemetery which will be his final resting place.

All profits from the T-shirts will be donated to Humanade which will go directly to the various causes it supports. T-shirts cost £45 each, available in S, M, L, XL, XXXL (see Black) with an additional £5 postage and packing.

	Sizes Small (S)
	Size Small (S) Large (L) Extra Large (XL)
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You can pay via PayPal and all major credit cards. You can pay without having a PayPal account, just click the “continue” link on the checkout page, as shown below.

If you have a special sizing request please drop us an email and we will do our best to accomodate you.

Leonard Peltier was imprisoned over 30 years ago for a crime he did not commit, Humanade as one of his supporters will continue to campaign for his release and fund his legal team. For more information regarding Leonard Peltier please visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

In celebration of Malcolm’s life we are asking people to observe a MINUTE OF MAYHEM at midday on 22nd April. Put on your favourite records and let it RIP!

For members of the public who would like to pay their last respects to him, the funeral cortege will travel between 1.15pm and 2.15pm from Camden High Street, Chalk Farm Road, Ferdinand Street, Malden Road and Southampton Road en route to his final resting place.

The family hopes that their privacy will be respected in and around the cemetery on the day of this funeral.

If you wish to send a donation instead of flowers, please donate to humanade.

In celebration of Malcolm’s life we are asking people to observe a MINUTE OF MAYHEM at midday on 22nd April. Put on your favourite records and let it RIP!

For members of the public who would like to pay their last respects to him, the funeral cortege will travel between 1.15pm and 2.15pm through Camden High Street, Chalk Farm Road, Ferdinand Street, Malden Road, Princes of Wales Road, Kentish Town Road and Southampton Road en route to his final resting place.

The family hopes that their privacy will be respected in and around the cemetery on the day of this funeral.

If you wish to send a donation instead of flowers, please donate to humanade.