London  – A British man who claims that he was tortured in Bangladesh on suspicion of terrorism is taking legal action against the government over its alleged collusion with the intelligence service MI5, the government confirmed Wednesday.

The Home Office (Interior Ministry) said that lawyers representing Jamil Rahman, a former civil servant, had written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith claiming that she colluded in assault, unlawful arrest, false imprisonment and breaches of human rights legislation.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Rahman says he was tortured over a two-year period in Bangladesh whilst two MI5 officers turned a blind eye to his treatment.

He was arrested in 2005 in connection with the suicide attacks on London’s transport network and is now living in Britain, the report said.

The Guardian said Rahman’s lawyers claim to have evidence including eyewitness testimony and medical information.

A Home Office spokeswoman said his legal team had written to the home secretary and said the government would respond “in due course.” The government denies using or condoning torture.

The claims follow accusations by former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed, who said he was tortured in Pakistan and Morocco with the knowledge of MI5. He was freed in February.

Last month, Scotland Yard said it was investigating reports that the security services were complicit in the abuse of 29 prisoners, including Britons, abroad. (dpa)