A Libyan torture victim has demanded an unreserved apology and a token payment of £3 from the British government, for their alleged role in his kidnap to Libya where he claims he was tortured under the Gaddafi regime.
Abdel Hakim Belhaj, a Libyan revolutionary commander turned politician, made his offering challenging British government claims that a new secret courts had to be introduced to prevent large payouts, after a £2.2 million was paid to another dissident.
Belhaj is demanding a pound each from the British government, former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Sir Mark Allen, former head of counter-terrorism at MI6.
In a letter published in the Independent, Belhaj says,
"Various media reports I have seen suggest that our motive for bringing this case is to enrich ourselves. I wish to lay this misconception to rest."
"But we have come to court in Britain because we believe your courts can deliver justice. We are primarily bringing this claim to secure a public judgment, recognising the wrongs we have suffered.
"I have seen press reports of ministers seeking to justify secret trials on the basis that the government has to pay large settlements to protect national security. You can now settle this case at little cost to the UK taxpayer. There will be no harm to the security of the British people for the government and Messrs Straw and Allen to accept their responsibility, and apologise to me and my wife."
