WMD probe 'hampered by No 10'

Senior MPs rounded on Tony Blair today for failing to answer key questions about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

The Commons Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said No10's response to its concerns about the 45- minute claim was "extremely unsatisfactory".

The MPs complained they had not been given key documents when conducting their inquiry into British intelligence about Iraqi's chemical and biological programme.

Their findings come only weeks before Lord Butler is due to announce the results of his investigation into the way the Government used intelligence material in the run-up to the Iraq war.

In a stinging rebuke to the Government, the ISC said it had "rejected or failed to address" many of its conclusions.

The MPs said there were also caused " considerable concern" that they were not given all the relevant papers from the Joint Intelligence Committee.

The Committee, which monitors the security service, also raised concerns about the alleged involvement of UK security personnel in the abuse of detainees at Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.

Their annual report quotes a letter from Mr Blair in which he confirms complaints had been received about the interrogation methods used by the British.

"Some of the detainees questioned by UK intelligence personnel have complained about their treatment in detention," Mr Blair writes.