The request was made in response to leaked emails from insiders in the Military Commission that will try Hicks. On Monday, ABC radio reported the contents of two emails from prosecutorial staff to their superiors outlining concerns about the fairness of the process.

They describe the Commission as “half-hearted” and say it “appears to be rigged”. One refers to Commission members being “hand-picked” and implies that “they will not acquit these detainees”.

A release from Roxon’s office stated that Ruddock had repeatedly told Australians the Government had investigated the process and was certain it would be fair, and questioned whether he had been briefed on the emails when he visited Washington two weeks ago.