HOME Secretary and town MP Jacqui Smith is being sued by a British man who claims she allowed his torture while he was being held on suspicion of terrorism in Bangladesh.

Jamil Rahman, a civil servant who grew up in Wales, claims he was interrogated by MI5 officers in between beatings by Bangladesh security forces.

Mr Rahman said he gave false confessions, including one that he masterminded the 2005 terror attacks on London.

He said he was detained in 2005 by a Bangladeshi intelligence agency and was stripped and beaten. He alleges he made the false confession before being questioned by two men who said they were from MI5.

Mr Rahman claims he told them the confessions were false, the men took a break, then he was beaten again before questioning resumed.

He was eventually released but was questioned several more times over the next two years by both MI5 officers and Scotland Yard detectives.

Mr Rahman is now suing in relation to assault, unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.

His lawyers claim to have evidence including eye witness testimony and medical information.

The Home Office said his legal team had written to Ms Smith and the government would respond in due course and a spokesman added that British security forces “neither condone nor use torture”.

Ms Smith said: "We firmly reject any suggestion that we torture people or ask others to do so on our behalf.

"Mr Rahman has made a lot of unsubstantiated allegations. They have not been evidenced in any court of law. I will respond vigorously to any action that he does bring."