Police say no evidence for CIA flights claim

LONDON (Reuters) - Police say they have found no evidence to support claims CIA planes transporting terrorism suspects to face possible torture in secret prisons in Europe landed illegally at British airports.

The allegations over the "extraordinary rendition" flights, made by British human rights group Liberty, could not be substantiated, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said in a statement late on Friday.

Michael Todd, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, had agreed to look at the Liberty allegations after it wrote to 10 police forces in November 2005.

Liberty asked police to investigate whether the United States used British airports to transport suspects to countries where they might face torture, in breach of British law.

Its request came after the Guardian newspaper reported the CIA had flown planes into Britain around 210 times since 2001.

"Mr Todd has now examined all of the information available relating to this issue and has concluded that there is indeed no evidence to substantiate Liberty's allegations," ACPO said.

Liberty questioned the timing of the police announcement, released on the same day a European investigator said he had proof Poland and Romania hosted secret CIA prisons.

"When politicians spin it is disappointing," said Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti.

"When police engage in the same activity it is rather more dangerous."