16 'tortured' Guantanamo Bay detainees to get millions of pounds

Sixteen people who were allegedly tortured at the behest of the Americans are being paid millions of pounds in compensation by the British taxpayer, ministers confirmed today.

The cash is being handed over in secret deals without any evidence being shown to the public that Britain condoned or was complicit in what happened. Among those getting payoffs are thought to be Binyam Mohamed, a British resident who says he was tortured in Morocco and Guantanamo Bay.

The Government refused to confirm or deny reports that one ex-detainee is being paid more than £1 million to drop a legal action against MI6. It would not comment on claims the total compensation was £5 million or £10 million.

Instead, sources said the payments were needed to save between £30 million and £50 million in legal costs that would have been incurred if compensation battles had been taken to court.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke gave scant details in a statement to the Commons this afternoon. Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: "It's not very palatable but there is a price to be paid for lawlessness and torture in freedom's name. There are torture victims who were entitled to expect protection from their country. The Government now accepts torture is never justified and we were all let down. Let's learn the lessons and move on."

Among others receiving settlements are Bisher al-Rawi, Jamil el-Banna, Richard Belmar, Omar Deghayes, Moazzam Begg and Martin Mubanga. Some are foreign nationals. All say they were tortured or abused and UK intelligence were complicit. Binyam Mohamed alleged he was asked questions under torture about matters that "could only have come from British intelligence".

Mohamed was found in Pakistan with a false passport. He was arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorism, and "rendered" to Morocco and Afghanistan then to Guantanamo Bay. He was returned to Britain last year.

Spy chiefs do not accept the payments are an admission of wrongdoing.