Government questioned on policies relating to torture
Retrieved on:
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Ministry of Defence document is accused of breaching law.
Key Points:
- David Davis used an urgent question to call on Penny Mordaunt, the defence secretary to make a statement.
- Cabinet Office guidance states that the UK will "not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for any purpose."
- Speaking for the Government, the Defence Secretary denied that this was the intention of the document, saying;
"The UK Government stands firmly against torture [] our policy and activities in this area are in accordance with both domestic and international law. - Responding to the statement, David Davies asked the Government to publish the documents proving they were compliant with IPCO, and said;
"The prohibition of torture is one of our few absolute, incontrovertible rights.