Smash hit

But returning to the issue of suspects that Britain wants to deport, he said: “If I am right in saying that the reports both of the FAC and Amnesty International were talking about the deportation cases we have got here, I’ve just got to say I think we have just got the whole thing upside down.

“I do not see why we should not be able to deport people who are not nationals of this country but have come here to cause trouble.”

Mr Blair also denied that there was any evidence for claims that terror suspects were carried on up to 200 American flights through Britain under “extraordinary rendition”.

Kate Allen, UK director of Amnesty, said: “There is nothing ‘upside down’ about taking a principled stand against torture.”

RIGHTS REPORT

Amnesty International report on Britain’s human rights record:

On anti-terrorism powers since September 11, 2001:

“People suspected of involvement in terrorism who have been detained in the UK under the new laws have . . . been held for years in harsh conditions on the basis of secret accusations that they are not allowed to know and therefore cannot refute.”

On the Terrorism Bill before Parliament:

“Some of its most sweeping and vague provisions, if enacted, would undermine the rights to freedom of expression, association, liberty and fair trial.”

On the admissibility of evidence obtained by torture:

“Amnesty International is increasingly concerned that UK’s policies and actions at home and abroad are effectively sending a ‘green light’ to other governments to abuse human rights.”

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