A British opposition politician on Thursday called for a high-level investigation into claims that British security officers were involved in the abduction and torture of terrorist suspects in Greece.
Sir Menzies Campbell, the foreign affairs spokesman for the second-ranked opposition Liberal Democrats, said such an inquiry was necessary to regain public confidence and establish the truth.
"I believe the appropriate course now would be for the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of parliament to investigate these matters," he said.
The ISC comprises senior members of the upper and lower houses of parliament. It is tasked with overseeing the work of Britain's domestic and overseas intelligence agencies - MI5 and MI6.
Unlike other parliamentary committees, the ISC conducts hearings behind closed doors and reports to the Prime Minister rather than to MPs. It also has access to top secret documents and can question senior spies on their work.
Explaining why such an inquiry was required, Campbell told BBC radio: "I think it is necessary for public confidence and also to get to the bottom of what are serious allegations for some further investigation to be carried out."
He said issues such as torture and the secret transportation of security suspects were of great interest to the public.
On Tuesday five Pakistani immigrants initiated legal proceedings against Greek and British agents who, they allege, illegally abducted and tortured them during interrogations following the London bombings in July.
The British government has denied any involvement and has issued an order forbidding the British media from revealing the identity of a British spy reported to have helped torture the detainees.
Greek Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis and Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao have also dismissed the allegations as false.
The Unity of Pakistan Community Association in Athens has said that 28 Pakistani migrants in total were seized and interrogated.
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