THE Home Secretary is facing criticism after touring a notorious Bahrain police station where activists have been tortured.

According to local media Priti Patel praised the state while she was there for its “progress to achieve common interests”.

Human rights groups and those who have been mistreated at the General Directorate of Muharraq Governorate Police condemned the visit.

One democracy activist who was granted asylum in the UK after revealing his torture at the station told The Independent of his frustration seeing Patel photographed there.

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Yusuf al Jamri told the newspaper: “I can't understand why Priti Patel would pay a state visit to the same police station, flanked by the people who have allowed my torturers to walk free.

“How can the Home Office accept that I was tortured at this site, then send the Home Secretary there for a photo opportunity?”

Patel’s trip to the centre took place without being publicised in the UK.

Earlier this year a BBC documentary told the stories of Ebtisam Al-Saegh and Naja Yusuf, two women imprisoned for criticising the ruler of Bahrain. They accused the state’s National Security Agency of torture and sexual assault at the station.

Patel visited Bahrain last weekend to attend an annual conference on security in the Middle East.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, hit out at Patel for the trip.

“By visiting this site, accompanied by the British ambassador, the Home Secretary is emboldening torturers and bolstering the culture of impunity that reigns in the country,” he said.

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Meanwhile Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve said the visit shows “the Government is more interested in PR than in actually protecting human rights in Bahrain”.

A Home Office spokesperson commented: “The Government is committed to supporting Bahrain as it continues to make important security, police and justice reforms, and we will continue to work closely together to promote security and stability in the Gulf region and across the world.

“It is important for the UK to engage with countries around the world on issues such as justice reform and that we work closely with international partners to tackle common threats, including terrorism, to keep our country safe.”