It's Torture Jim, But Not As We Know It....

So, a report concludes that 14 EU countries colluded with the CIA over so-called 'rendition flights', including the UK. According to The Guardian, the report reserved special condemnation for a former legal advisor to the Foreign Office. In his infinite wisdom he claimed that:

"receiving or possessing" information extracted under torture was not in itself against international conventions banning torture, "in so far as there is no direct participation in the torture".

Hmmm, go figure that one out. Furthermore, the advisor, Michael Wood, refused to give evidence to the European Parliament committee which conducted the inquiry. No real surprise that a former government advisor was so reluctant to fulfil his obligations, the Prime Minister isn't too keen on inquiries. The report also concludes:

"After 11 September 2001, the so-called 'war on terror' - in its excesses - has produced a serious and dangerous erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Err, no shit Sherlock. And it is likely to get worse once 'Dr' John 'hard-nut' Reid gets his 90 day detention that he is desperately posturing for, particularly after the convenient raids in Birmingham. Did someone say 'police state'??