Binyam Mohamed said seven years in detention had left him feeling “dead”.
The Ethiopian — flown back to Britain by private jet last month after being freed without charge from Guantanamo Bay — claimed MI5 agents played a part in his torture before he confessed to being an al-Qaeda fighter.
But the BBC failed to demand proof of his claims, despite US allegations that he has a history of lying.
And Mohamed, 30 — who is seeking compensation and wants to stay in Britain — was not challenged over why he went to Pakistan on a fake passport before visiting Afghanistan.
PM Gordon Brown was dismayed by the broadcast on Radio 4’s Today Programme.
His spokesman said: “It’s for the BBC to justify the approach it takes to an interview.”
Tory MP David Davies said Mohamed’s story was “hard to swallow” and he was amazed the BBC did not test his claims.
He added: “I’m astonished the BBC was happy to give him time to slag off the country he wants to live in but aren’t interested to inquire what he was doing in Afghanistan..”
The BBC said Mohamed was challenged on various issues, including his reason for visiting Afghanistan.
It added: “The broadcast should be heard in whole, not part.”
Biased BBC
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