British judge: Evidence can be kept secret in Guantanamo case

British judge: Gitmo evidence can be kept secret

LONDON — A judge says British spies have the right to keep evidence secret from a group of former Guantanamo prisoners suing the government for allegedly being complicit in their detention.

The seven men allege they were tortured or abused at the U.S. prison camp and elsewhere and that the British government contributed to their torment. They are suing for damages and their lawyers argue that the use of secret evidence would hamper their case.

Justice Stephen Silber said Wednesday he was not ruling on the lawsuit, which has yet to come to trial. But he said there was no reason why officials could not be allowed to keep some evidence from prisoners’ lawyers.

Michael Fordham, a lawyer for the men, said he would appeal the ruling.