MI6 investigation makes case for full torture inquiry even stronger - Davey

“At the very least we need to know where and when this occurred, and what kind of incident is being investigated," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary. Commenting on the revelation that the Metropolitan Police are to investigate allegations of MI6 complicity in torture, Edward Davey said:

“Given the gravity and number of allegations of UK complicity in torture, separate limited police investigations alone are inadequate.

“The case for a full judicial inquiry has become even stronger.

“The lack of information available on this case is unacceptable. There are surely many more details the Government could reveal which would not prejudice the case but are vital matters of public interest.

“At the very least we need to know where and when this occurred, and what kind of incident is being investigated. We also need to know what has suddenly prompted this apparent outbreak of conscience at MI6. Otherwise, the public may feel information is being kept secret to save political embarrassment.”

Inquiry needed into Labour involvement in Gaddafi’s big tent - Davey

"We will need a far wider-ranging inquiry to really get to the bottom of this," said Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary. Commenting on the news that Jack Straw will be questioned by the Justice Committee over the release of Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi, Edward Davey said:

“Jack Straw has many questions to answer on his involvement in this issue, so it is right that he comes before a Parliamentary committee.

“But with daily revelations about the role of Brown, Mandelson and Blair in murky dealings with Libya, we will need a far wider-ranging inquiry to really get to the bottom of this.

“Parliament must set up a far-reaching investigation into recent UK-Libya relations which will call all those ministers involved to account. We need to get the truth from all the Labour figures who have been drawn into Gadaffi’s big tent.”

Fraud in Afghan elections shows second vote necessary - Davey

"These results cannot be safely seen as a victory for Hamid Karzai," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary. Commenting on findings of ‘clear and convincing evidence of fraud’ in Afghanistan’s elections, Edward Davey said:

“The increasing evidence of widespread fraud in the Afghan elections means these results cannot be safely seen as a victory for Hamid Karzai.

“There clearly needs to be a second round of voting to ensure the winner genuinely has the support of the Afghan people.

“This should be conducted jointly with the UN to ensure more rigorous and impartial oversight.”

Brown’s decision on IRA victims’ compensation hard to justify - Davey

"Gordon Brown’s decision to leave this to the courts and not to make this an issue between Governments looks hard to justify," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Responding to Downing Street’s comments on the issue of Libyan compensation for victims of the IRA, Edward Davey said:

“The Prime Minister is still failing to explain why he rejected the idea of the British Government negotiating directly for compensation for the IRA victims’ families.

“Everyone will wish the families’ legal teams good luck, but Gordon Brown’s decision to leave this to the courts and not to make this an issue between Governments looks hard to justify.

“The Government’s whole handling of UK-Libya relations over a period of years has now to be questioned in a wide-ranging Parliamentary inquiry.”

Brown’s Lockerbie comments a masterclass in evasion - Davey

Responding to Gordon Brown’s comments on the return of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi to Libya, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said: “Gordon Brown’s comments on Lockerbie are a masterclass in evasion."

“When a decision is made by another politician, and has such grave international consequences, the Prime Minister’s refusal to say whether or not he supports it almost amounts to negligence.

“It is hard to see why he can’t tell us what he thinks of the decision to release a man who has been convicted of the worst terrorist attack in British history.

“As long as Gordon Brown remains silent on this issue, people will suspect he has something to hide.”

Davey: Blair must come clean on torture or quit as MidEast envoy

Reacting to the allegations that Tony Blair knew about secret interrogation guidance for British intelligence officers who became aware of the torture of suspects, Edward Davey said; "Surely Tony Blair cannot hold the position of Middle East Envoy when he stands accused of breaking the UN Convention against torture".

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary said; "He needs to either make clear what he knew about the torture policy or stand down as envoy. He cannot have it both ways."

"There are also serious questions to answer for both Jack Straw and David Blunkett. They had oversight of MI6 and MI5 at the time, and should have known about any guidance their agents had been given."

Edward Davey called for a debate over the guidance regarding the abuse of suspects under interrogation provided to the security services at Business Questions in Parliament today.

Ed concluded that "Parliament must be allowed a debate on the issue of oversight of guidance on interrogation and the current Justice Secretary, given his long-term involvement in this issue, should respond for the Government."

Davey: Iraq inquiry must be about more than Gordon Brown's woes

Edward Davey has written to David Miliband to demand genuine cross-party consultation on any Iraq inquiry which the Government brings forward.

The call comes in response to media reports that an inquiry could be announced this week and stresses the need for a genuinely transparent process, centred on the high-level political decisions taken in the run-up to the war.

Edward Davey said; "The Iraq war was the worst British foreign policy disaster since Suez."

"The scale, scope and conduct of an inquiry must reflect this, not merely the political woes of Gordon Brown."

TheLiberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary went on to say; "The country simply will not stand another whitewash on Iraq. With trust in Government and Parliament at an all-time low, there is no alternative but for unprecedented transparency and consensus in the conduct of this inquiry."

Ed concluded; "It is extremely worrying that decisions appear to have already been made, without any discussion in Parliament or correspondence between our parties."

Davey: Conservatives must face the nasty truth about their friends in Europe

Wed, 03 Jun 2009

Edward Davey, has written to William Hague detailing some of the widespread charges of racism, homophobia and climate change denial made against the Conservatives’ allies, the Polish Law and Justice Party and its European Parliament candidates.

The Conservatives are courting the PiS in the hope that they will join them in a new group in the European Parliament.

Edward Davey challenged Mr Hague to make clear whether the Conservatives still intend to join with the PiS in light of these revelations - and to tell voters where they stand in advance of Thursday's elections.

Edward Davey said; "The Tories have been at pains to portray themselves as modern, ‘liberal Conservatives'. How do they square this with the views expressed by the PiS?"

The Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary went on to say; "Do they agree that homophobia, racism, sexism and climate change denial have no place in twenty first century European politics? If so, are they still prepared to strike a deal with these people for the sake of political convenience? Don't the voters have a right to know?"

Davey: Farage must explain UKIP’s missing millions

Mon, 25 May 2009

Edward Davey is writing to UKIP Leader Nigel Farage challenging him to publish his MEPs’ expense claims and to account for their shameful record of voting for perks and secrecy in the European Parliament.

When Nigel Farage first went to Brussels, he promised to publish his accounts annually ‘so the public can inspect them', but since then neither he nor his UKIP colleagues have done so.

In addition, two of the 12 UKIP MEPs elected in 2004 have since faced criminal charges for falsely claiming benefits, false accounting and money laundering. UKIP has also voted against a cap on MEPs' earnings, reforms to make travel expenses more transparent, and have backed laws aimed at keeping their expenses secret.

Commenting, Edward Davey said:

"UKIP MEPs have attacked others over their expenses while living the high life in Brussels, charging the taxpayer, and hiding the true cost from voters.

"One in six UKIP MEPs elected in 2004 has since faced criminal charges over their creative accounting. Meanwhile, UKIP turned up in the European Parliament to vote against a cap on MEPs' earnings, against reforms to make travel more transparent, and in favour of laws aimed at keeping their expenses secret.

The chair of the Liberal Democrat's Campaigns and Candidates Committee, went on to say, "It's one thing to complain about MPs' expenses. But it is quite another to point the finger while hiding the truth about yourself.

"UKIP's absent accounting, elusive expenses, and secretive attitude add up to bare-faced cheek. Nigel Farage must explain to the public where the money has gone and why they have voted against change.

Edward concluded "UKIP must end the hypocrisy and show us the money now."