Liberal Democrat politician was part of campaign which helped free Dollis Hill resident Jamil el-Banna from detention camp

A Brent MP has tabled a parliamentary motion calling government to work alongside the United States to ensure the closure of controversial detention camp Guantanamo Bay.

Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central, has called for the closure of the detention centre and made demands that work be done to ensure the release of British captive, Shaker Aamer who has been held at the centre without charge for more than 10 years.

The facility, in Cuba, currently houses around 166 inmates – many of whom have never been charged – some have been on hunger strike for more than 100 days.

Ms Teather was previously part of the successful campaign to release Dollis Hill resident Jamil el-Banna who was detained without charge in Guantanamo for more than four years until his release in 2007.

The camp was established in January 2002 by the Bush Administration in the USA to hold detainees it had determined to be connected with opponents in the “Global War on Terror.”

Commenting on the motion, which was tabled on Thursday, May 16, Ms Teather said: “Four years ago President Obama promised to close Guantanamo Bay. Yet it continues to exist, in an insult to democracy and a violation of the principles the war on terror purported to defend.

“The 13 year history of Guantanamo Bay is one of systematic uses of torture and inhumane treatment, including waterboarding. This has not changed and the new procedures for force feeding, which allow inmates to be shackled and have tubes inserted into them for up to two hours, are exceptionally degrading.

“It is high time the camp was closed and detainees either charged or allowed to return home to their families. The Government must make the closure of Guantanamo a matter of priority and ensure that President Obama makes good on his pledge.”