The human rights barrister and Professor at University College London said that 'idealogues and men of weakness' were allowed to occupy some of the highest legal offices of state. 'They failed to provide independent advice and became advocates for a cause. Those who did stand up and object were sidelined.' Commenting on the US Senate's intelligence committee report on the use of torture by the CIA, Mr Sands went on to claim that lawyers, acting under orders from the White House, became torturers by their writings or turning a blind eye to techniques forbidden in international law. If the US does not act, other countries can investigate and, if necessary prosecute. However, criminal proceedings could be avoided by a process of truth and reconciliation, he adds. Source: The Financial Times