London: A former MI6 spy who reportedly infiltrated Al Qaeda ranks for British intelligence and worked undercover with the Taliban in Pakistan is suing the UK government after being jailed for a murder he blames on stress disorder caused by torture while in ISI custody.
The former agent, who cannot be identified for security reasons, is now serving a life term for the murder he claims was committed as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his spy mission, The Sunday Times reported.
He is seeking damages and is appealing against his murder conviction on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to PTSD.
The former spy has told the newspaper that he worked as an agent for both MI5 and MI6 for almost six years, undertaking missions in Britain, Pakistan and Egypt.
While in Pakistan, he claims, he was tortured, witnessed executions and lived in constant fear of being exposed as a British spy.
Working undercover with the Taliban in Pakistan, he claims he saw a man, woman and child beheaded as suspected spies and was told to pick up the severed head of the dead child and show it to the crowd as a warning from the terror group.
"It was absolutely horrible, but I had to do it. I had no choice, otherwise I would have been suspected of being a spy," he said.
He claims he suffered at the hands of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) after being arrested as a suspected terrorist.
"I was beaten every day for over a month. I lost teeth and had my toenails pulled out by pliers," he said.
He was released and returned to Britain, but suffered nightmares and flashbacks to atrocities, becoming angry for no reason. He told his intelligence handlers but received no help.
MI5 has sought to keep the case out of the public eye, the report claims.
The security service initially denied that he was one of its agents. However, when it became apparent that details of his secret life would be made public in court, the Crown
Prosecution Service called for the large segments of the trial be held in-camera.
Liam Kotrie, of Mary Monson solicitors, who represented the agent at his murder trial, said: "MI5 assessed his mental ability on several occasions. They knew the risks he would face yet they still sent him into dangerous and traumatic situations.
"This whole tragic situation could have been avoided if he had been treated properly, with the right care. MI5 used him with complete disregard to the consequences. They should understand that they have a responsibility to their staff and civilian agents as well as to the country."
MI5, MI6, the attorney-general's office and the Home Office has declined to comment so far.
