Libyan ‘sent home for torture’ claims Straw signed papers

Lawyers representing Abdel Hakim Belhadj confirmed legal papers had been served on the Labour MP after reports suggested he had signed documents that allowed the rebel to be sent back to his homeland in 2004.

Mr Belhadj, 45, claims he had been living in exile in Beijing, China, before being detained with his wife Fatima while en route to the UK where they were trying to seek asylum.

He alleges they were sent back to Libya – which was under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi – and imprisoned and tortured.

The civil action, which is against Mr Straw personally, seeks to examine his exact role in the rendition and claim damages from him for the trauma involved.

Mr Belhadj’s lawyers Leigh Day & Co said they sent the MP a letter yesterday asking him to produce a number of documents.

Sami Al Saadi, who claims to have shared the same fate as fellow Libyan and Gaddafi opponent Mr Belhadj, is also taking legal action against Mr Straw.

Mr Belhadj, a key military figure in the uprising that toppled Col Gaddafi last year, is already suing the Foreign Office and MI6.

British ministers have always denied any complicity in rendition or torture.

Cori Crider, legal director of Reprieve, said: “At last it seems we know who signed off Britain’s involvement in rendition to torture. Jack Straw must come clean.”