Ashcroft: Waterboarding served purpose, says it isn't torture

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Attorney General John Ashcroft on Thursday said reports indicate that the controversial interrogation practice of waterboarding has served a "very valuable" purpose and does not constitute torture.

Ashcroft, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on administration interrogation rules, answered a question from Rep. Howard Coble, R-North Carolina.

Coble said, "waterboarding, as we all know, is a controversial issue. Do you think it served a beneficial purpose?"

"The reports that I have heard, and I have no reason to disbelieve them, indicate that they were very valuable," Ashcroft said.