Tony Blair ‘didn’t know about’ Libya rendition
Former prime minister Tony Blair has insisted he did not know about the case of Libyan dissident Abdul Hakim Belhaj until after leaving office.
Prime Minister Theresa May has apologised to Mr Belhaj and his wife Fatima Boudchar after they said MI6 was involved in their rendition to Libya in 2004.
Mrs May said the couple had suffered “appalling treatment”, and Ms Boudchar, who was pregnant at the time, accepted a £500,000 payout.
Mr Blair, who stood down as prime minister in 2007, said he had not been aware of the incident while in power, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This has been subject to a long legal process.
“I have gone along with what the to vernment’s done, which is issue the apology, I didn’t actually know myself about this case until after I left office.”
Pressed on whether he would give a personal apology to the couple, Mr Blair said: “Of course I’m sorry for any mistreatment that’s been given to people. How on earth would you ever justify that?
He also said: “I have always been wholly and 100 per cent in all circumstances opposed to the use of torture.”