Blair knew about rendition and embraced it

Following recent revelations in the Guardian about British complicity in torture post 9/11 – here’s a comprehensive map of what happened to whom – this story is getting closer to the centre of power:

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.

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”.

But they were also told they were not under any obligation to intervene to prevent detainees from being mistreated.

“Given that they are not within our …­custody or control, the law does not require you to intervene to prevent this,” the policy said.

Remind me why the corporate media still treats Blair with such respect?

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