Government says: 'Release Omar'

The Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary have decided to request the release from Guantanamo Bay and return to Britain of five UK residents, including Omar Deghayes from Saltdean.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP has written today to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to formally make this request.

The official Government statement said: "Discussions with the US Government about the release and return of these five men may take some time. The Government will of course continue to take all necessary measures to maintain national security. Should these men be returned to the UK, the same security considerations and actions will apply to them as would apply to any other foreign national in this country."

Omar's local MP, Dr Des Turner, flew to Washington in May of this year to meet with US State Department officials and seek the release of Mr Deghayes.

Local Hove MP Celia Barlow welcomed the announcement and thanked David Miliband for taking the initiative. She said:

“Guantanamo Bay should have been shut down years ago. I hope that the US government will hand over the detainees soon.”

She credited the Save Omar Campaign, as well as Des Turner and other supporters for pressuring the Government to demand the release of the former refugees to British soil.