Obama Administration Reportedly Bars Former British Ambassador From Entering Country To Honor National Security Whistleblower

He has no criminal record. He is an internationally followed author and human rights activists. He is also the former British British ambassador to Uzbekistan with 30 years of diplomatic experience. However, Craig Murray has reported that he was denied entry into the United States by the State Department when he was traveling to serve as Master of Ceremonies at an award ceremony honoring John Kiriakou, the CIA torture whistleblower.

Various sites are reporting the story but no mainstream media has picked it up. If true, I am not sure why this is not bigger news. While Murray has attracted critics over his stand against torture and criticism of the ruling government in Uzbekistan. However, there is nothing that I have seen that would justify his being denied entry into the United States. Given his human rights advocacy, groups are understandably outraged.

Kiriakou was the only U.S. government official to go to jail in connection with the torture program. Not those who committed the torture. Not those who ordered the torture. Only the man who disclosed the torture program.

While challenging such orders at the State Department is time consuming, Murray should do so. Otherwise, the Administration is not required to offer any explanation. However, if this is true, the media should force some explanation from the Administration other than there was a “hit” on the State Department computer.