British Prime Minister Tony Blair is under increasing pressure to reveal how much he knows about the US using airports in the United Kingdom as transit points for terrorism suspects. A leaked memo has revealed that Mr Blair was advised to avoid giving detailed answers on the transit issue, known as rendition. The four-page memo, dated December 7, 2005, was sent to Mr Blair's Downing Street office by Britain's Foreign Office.
It advised ministers to avoid giving details on rendition and to stress their anti-terrorist purpose. Human rights groups accuse the United States of secretly moving prisoners to countries where they could be tortured.
Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told Parliament there have only been two requests by the US to land in Britain. But the leaked memo says there could be more. Civil rights group Liberty wants the Government to launch an inquiry immediately. Mr Blair is not commenting on the memo. He has repeatedly denied having a detailed knowledge of the flights.
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