US is asked to free last British prisoner at Guantanamo Bay

Shaker Aamer has been at the camp for eight years even though he has never been charged with a crime.

The 42-year-old, whose wife and four children live in Wandsworth, has long been cleared for release but continues to suffer isolation and alleged abuse.

Today human rights group Reprieve, which is representing him, reiterated calls for his freedom.

A spokeswoman for Reprieve said: "We are still trying to get him out. The British Government need to put more pressure on the US government."

The appeal comes as Scotland Yard is investigating allegations that MI5 was complicit in the torture of Mr Aamer.

Officers have applied to the high court for the release of classified documents relating to the case.

Mr Aamer has accused British intelligence officers of being aware of his torture in US custody at Bagram airport in Afghanistan.

Police are already investigating claims of MI5 complicity in the ill-treatment of British resident Binyam Mohamed while being held by the US. Mr Aamer is a witness in Mr Mohamed's case.

Mr Aamer, his wife Zin Ahmad and their three children left London in 2001 to work for a charity in Afghanistan.

But Mr Aamer, a Saudi Arabian who came to the UK in 1996, was captured in December 2001 by American forces who claim he was with the Taliban.

Reprieve maintains he was sold by villagers to local authorities, who in turn sold him to the Americans.

His wife was pregnant at the time.
He was transferred to Bagram airbase before being flown to Guantanamo Bay.

For more than four years, he has been in solitary confinement as guards believe he has too much influence over other detainees.