Cameron calls for new torture probe.

Summary: Tory Leader David Cameron has said a judge should investigate the UK intelligence agencies' alleged involvement in torture.

Tory Leader David Cameron has said a judge should investigate the UK intelligence agencies' alleged involvement in torture.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Question Time, he said an existing inquiry by the Attorney General into allegations surrounding the Binyam Mohamed case would not go far enough.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said "we unreservedly condemn and do not allow the use of torture" and added that if there was evidence of complicity in torture a criminal investigation would be carried out.

The Intelligence and Security Committee would continue to investigate the issue, he added.

Former Guantanamo Bay inmate Mr Mohamed has accused the Security Service, MI5, of feeding questions to US agents which led him to falsely confess to terrorist activities.

The United Nations condemned Britain for its involvement in the US rendition programme in a highly critical report published this week.

Mr Cameron, returning to the despatch box for the first time since the death of his son Ivan, said "serious allegations" had been made about the Mohamed case.

He told Mr Brown: "It is right that the Attorney General should see whether a crime has been committed.

"But isn't it also important that you are satisfied that Britain has, throughout, acted with moral authority over and above the question about whether a crime has been committed?

"Can you tell us what you have done to satisfy yourself of the true facts in this case?"

The Prime Minister said: "This Government unreservedly condemns the use of torture. Under no circumstances will we participate in, encourage or condone the use of torture for any purpose."

The Attorney General is looking at "all the evidence" and allegations would be "properly examined including, if necessary by the courts", he said.

Mr Cameron said: "We all want to eradicate the potential stain on Britain's reputation. But the question is whether an investigation into criminal conduct by the Attorney General is enough.

"Surely we need to look at what procedures and processes are in place to ensure that Britain cannot knowingly or unknowingly be implicated in torture. Isn't that why we need a brief, judge-led inquiry into what happened and what lessons need to be learned?"

Mr Brown said: "It is absolutely right that at all times we are vigilant because the freedoms and the liberties of this country are best served by making sure that we unreservedly condemn and do not allow the use of torture."

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which monitors the work of the UK's spies, had already carried out two investigations into "some aspects of these matters" and would "continue to look at these matters", he said.

Mr Brown said the ISC had "looked at the issue of rendition in great detail" in their previous inquiry.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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