The British government is set to formally announce an inquiry into whether its spy agencies colluded in the torture of terrorism suspects overseas a probe that could complicate intelligencesharing with the United States.

Prime Minister David Cameron's office said he would make a statement on the treatment of detainees in the House of Commons later yesterday.

Foreign Secretary William Hague announced in May that there would be a judge-led inquiry, but said details were still being worked out.

Downing Street would not give advance details of Cameron's statement or say whether an inquiry would be held in public. But it is likely to arouse fears in Washington that secret information could be released.