UK says U.S. rendition flights used Indian Ocean base

LONDON (Reuters) - Two U.S. planes carrying terrorism suspects refuelled at a U.S. base on the British Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia in 2002, Britain said on Thursday, contradicting earlier denials.

"Contrary to earlier explicit assurances that Diego Garcia had not been used for rendition flights, recent U.S. investigations have now revealed two occasions, both in 2002, when this had in fact occurred," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told parliament.

"In both cases a U.S. plane with a single detainee on board refuelled at the U.S. facility in Diego Garcia," he said.

The government had previously repeatedly insisted that it was not aware of any British territory being used to transfer terrorism suspects outside normal extradition procedures since U.S. President George W. Bush took office in 2001.

Washington has admitted to using the practice, which is known as "rendition".

Miliband said he was "very sorry indeed" to have to correct earlier government denials on the basis of new information passed to Britain by the U.S. government on Feb. 15.

"An error in the earlier U.S. records search meant that these cases did not come to light," he said.

His admission drew angry criticism from legislators.

British police said last year they had found no evidence to support claims that CIA planes transporting terrorism suspects to face possible torture in secret prisons in Europe landed illegally at British airports.