Miliband addressing torture claim

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1230GMT: Miliband statement US 'torture pressure'

Foreign Secretary David Miliband is making a statement to MPs about a Guantanamo Bay detainee behind claims Britain was complicit in torture.

Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian who lived in the UK, believes US papers detailing his treatment support his claims.

But the High Court ruled they should remain secret as Mr Miliband felt there was a risk to intelligence co-operation from the US if they were published.

Mr Miliband says he is protecting British security interests.

The government has insisted the UK never "condoned the use of torture".

'Sensitive information'

In a statement, the White House thanked the UK government "for its continued commitment to protect sensitive national security information".

Mr Miliband insisted in a BBC interview on Wednesday he had not "rolled over" in the face of American pressure and was in fact protecting Britain's national interests.

It's very cruel from a person who is elected to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law Dr Benhur Mohamed Profile: Binyam Mohamed Tensions over Guantanamo case

"If I authorise the sharing of information with another country I don't want them [the judges] to jeopardise our intelligence service by releasing that information against our will," he told the BBC's Newsnight.

Binyam Mohamed, 30, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for four years after being accused by the US authorities of planning a terrorist attack.

He alleges he was tortured while being questioned in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan, and that UK intelligence agencies were complicit in the practice.

'No threat'

His US military lawyer said the US authorities were withholding information about her client's alleged torture in order to save face.

On Wednesday, two British judges claimed that the US had threatened to stop sharing intelligence with the UK if it made public details of Mr Mohamed's treatment.

But the foreign secretary said there had been "no threat" from the US and insisted that intelligence co-operation "depends on confidentiality".

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Shadow security minister Dame Pauline Neville Jones, a former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said Mr Miliband was following the "established position" in not releasing US-owned information without the American government's consent.

But she said she hoped both governments could look at the issue again and that the US government would decide it was right to release details in the public interest - while separating them from "sensitive" intelligence information.

"When there's a suggestion of wrongdoing we do have to try and find a way through," she told the BBC.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the government should be able to protect some sensitive information but said it was "unacceptable" to conceal "the circumstances around the alleged torture of this individual".

"I think it smacks of a cover-up unless the government comes clean," he added.

'Feel betrayed'

Mr Mohamed's brother, Dr Benhur Mohamed, said he had written to Mr Miliband asking him to help his brother.

Dr Mohamed said it was "very cruel" of him not to reply.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mohamed said he believed Mr Miliband had failed to protect his brother's human rights.

Miliband: 'We would never condone torture'

"I did write to Mr Miliband, but I didn't get any answer from him," he said. "I was truly begging him to do something about Binyam, that was my plea, but I didn't hear anything.

"I feel very sad. I feel betrayed. It's very cruel from a person who is elected by the people to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law."

Dr Mohamed said his brother was a "quiet" and "helpful" person.

"He is very supportive and very considerate. He is not the kind of person who would want to hurt anybody," he said.

The decision to block the release of information about his brother's detention was "unacceptable," Dr Mohamed added.