Sapna Malik, the lawyer who represented the al Saadi family, said: "The sheer terror experienced by the al Saadi family when they were bundled onto their rendition flight and delivered up to their nemesis clearly lives with them all to this day.

"Having concluded one part of their quest for justice, they now look to the British criminal courts to hold those responsible for their ordeal to account and await the judge-led inquiry they have been promised."

Belhaj said that he respected al Saadi's decision to accept the payout, adding that it was a miracle his friend had survived his imprisonment in Libya.

"I understand and support his decision to provide his family with security, pay for his medical care, and support other victims of torture," he said in a statement issued through Leigh Day.

"I intend to fight to ensure the truth is told. I have said before, and I say again now, my wife and I will not allow the truth to be concealed."

Gadhafi died after he was captured in his hometown of Sirte on October 20, 2011.