CIA 'took credit for British intelligence work'

CIA incorrectly held up intelligence obtained from its 'enhanced interrogation techniques' as being responsible for the arrest of Dhiren Barot

The CIA claimed enhanced interrogations helped capture Dhiren Barot (AP)

The CIA wrongly claimed that its use of torture against terror suspects disrupted at least three major plots against the UK which were in reality thwarted by Britain’s intelligence services, according to the US Senate report.

Senators said that the CIA had incorrectly held up intelligence obtained from its “enhanced interrogation techniques” as being responsible for the arrest of Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda operative jailed for 40 years for plotting attacks in London and America, as well as the disruption of attempts to target Heathrow Airport and Canary Wharf.

While the summary acknowledged the success of British counter-terrorism activities, it offered no new information on the question of UK complicity in the rendition of terror suspects for illegal interrogation.

The CIA cited the case of Barot as one of a number of examples where it had produced intelligence unobtainable by other methods. Criticising the CIA claims, the report said: “These representations were inaccurate. The operation… resulted from the activities of UK authorities.”