At confirmation hearing, Gonzales disavows torture: "Questioned closely by Democrats Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Gonzales repeatedly pointed out that a Justice Department memo on torture sent to federal agencies in 2002 that has been linked to the mistreatment of terrorist suspects was rescinded late last year.

But he insisted that as Bush's government lawyer, 'I never influenced or pressured' Justice Department lawyers reporting to Attorney General John Ashcroft to approve interrogation techniques that some criticized as torture.

Gonzales said he could 'not recall' conversations with the Justice Department lawyers that have been interpreted as pushing them to approve the techniques."

(Via Google News.)