The last remaining British inmate in Guatanamo Bay has filed a complaint against UK intelligence services.

Shaker Aamer, of Battersea, has been imprisoned since February 2002 without trial or even being charged by the US authorities since he was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001.

The complaint relates to "defamatory statements that have no basis in honest fact" and concerns how he was interrogated at Bagram prison in Afghanistan by the UK security services.

Mr Aamer has been cleared twice by the US Government, while David Cameron has personally asked Barack Obama he is returned home, to no avail.

Mr Aamer and his lawyers from Reprieve believe false information provided by British intelligence is leading to his ongoing detention.

His complaint has been brought to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which deals with complaints about the conduct of the UK's intelligence agencies.

Kat Craig, legal director of Reprieve, said: "The US has cleared Shaker, and the British Government wants him home - so why is he still there? 

"All the evidence points to briefing against him by the UK intelligence services, who are terrified that his release will allow him to speak freely about the part they played in his torture and rendition. 

"In effect, our spies are undermining the aims of our democratically elected Government.  The IPT will be worthless if it cannot put an end to this scandal."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on threatened legal proceedings. 

"Mr Aamer’s case remains a high priority for the UK Government and we continue to make clear to the US that we want him released and returned to the UK as a matter of urgency."

 

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