Nothing will change

The announcement by Alistair Carmichael that the Lib-Dem/Tory government is planning an inquiry into torture by Britain’s intelligence services will no doubt please those who wish to see all human rights restored fully to everyone.

Unfortunately, even though I am counted among those who wish such a thing to happen, I am a pragmatist and realise that whatever the outcome of the enquiry, no blame will be apportioned, and more importantly, the “vigorous interrogations” will go on.

Both MI5 and MI6 are charged by the government of the day to protect the people and lands of this country and they will prosecute that task by whatever means possible and no committee or government will be aware of the methods that will be employed.

The reality of the situation is that MI5, MI6 and large business effectively runs this country, and their equivalents in other countries. That is never going to change. Politicians are “here today and gone tomorrow”, and are viewed as such by those powers who will always be.

Is Mr Carmichael so naïve as to think that an inquiry, albeit government-led, is going to change any of this?

Geoff McCarron
Setter,
Sandwick.