UK ministers should explain compensation payment to Guantánamo detainee, Dominic Grieve says

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Dan Sabbagh Security and defence editorJanuary 12, 2026 at 09:59 PM

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Former UK Attorney General Dominic Grieve is calling for transparency regarding the UK's compensation payment to Abu Zubaydah, a Palestinian man held at Guantánamo Bay. Zubaydah, subjected to CIA waterboarding, reportedly received a substantial payment due to MI5 and MI6's role in his mistreatment, specifically passing questions to the CIA despite warnings about his harsh treatment beginning in 2002. The UK government has not provided a detailed explanation, citing intelligence matters. Grieve, who led a 2018 inquiry into UK spy agencies' involvement in US torture, believes the government should address the matter in Parliament. Human rights groups are also urging the UK to issue a public apology to Zubaydah.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pakistan 40% Reprieve 40% Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 40% al-Qaida 50% Dan Dolan ×250% Guantánamo Bay 60% MI5 ×260% MI6 ×370% Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ×270% Dominic Grieve ×280% United Kingdom (UK) ×690% Abu Zubaydah ×690%

Keywords

abu zubaydah 100% compensation payment 90% cia torture 80% guantánamo detainee 80% mi5 and mi6 70% uk government 60% war on terror 50% accountability 40% negligence 40%