CIA made ‘185 rendition flights through Britain’

CIA aircraft used in secret flights to transport terrorist suspects around the world made nearly 200 calls at British airports over the past five years, according to a report released today.

The report called Below the Radar: secret flights to torture and “disappearance” by Amnesty International is the latest investigation into the Bush Administration’s controversial policy of “rendition”, whereby suspected terrorists are moved to detention centres around the world.

Amnesty tracked four unmarked CIA planes out of a fleet of 26 being used. They are said to have made 185 calls at British airports including Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick and Edinburgh.

Kate Allen, the UK director of Amnesty International, called for an independent inquiry into British involvement in the operation.

Richard Beeston