Written question asked by Neale Hanvey (Alba Party) on Thursday, 9 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 November 2023 (named day). It was answered by James Heappey (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 November 2023 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

USA: Rendition

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK airports were used by the US military for rendition flights for the transfer of terrorist suspects.

Answer: There were two previously declared incidents relating to the US in 2002, where British Territory was used for this purpose. The transition of two detainees through Diego Garcia was reported to Parliament by the then Foreign Secretary in February 2008. Since those events in 2002 the UK has not authorised any other instances of other countries rendering terrorism suspects through the territorial land, air or seas of the UK or our overseas territories.

Secondary information