Smash hit

Saeed Ahmed Siddique said: “Today is a day of celebration. We are really, really delighted. We were always sure that he would be released because there are no charges against him. We knew what kind of person he was. This only happened because he visited a country that was broken and unfortunately this happened.”

Mr Aamer’s wife, Zinnira, has still to be told the news as she is on a pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, her father said. “It has been very, very difficult for the family. My daughter has been admitted to hospital with depression and mental health problems. It has been a strain,” he added.

Natalia Garcia, Mr Aamer’s UK solicitor, said that the family was “anxious that his release should be obtained quickly”. She said the indication from the Government was that it did not know how long it might take for negotiations to be completed over the release and return of the men.

Reprieve, whose lawyers have represented all five men in their challenges to their illegal detention said that the Americans became convinced that Mr Mohamed, a janitor, was involved in terrorism and his torture included a razor blade to his penis.

Their lawyers have visited the five men in Guantánamo Bay on many occasions. Clive Stafford Smith, Reprieve’s Legal Director, said: “At last we are seeing an ethical foreign policy: action rather than words. Respect for human rights and justice are our first and best protection against terrorism.

“When the British government enforces human rights, we have some chance of healing the rift with the Islamic world. The Brown government has seen that it is one thing to criticise the nightmare that is Guantánamo Bay, but another to play our part in bringing it to an end.

“The U.S. cannot close the prison unless European countries step up and allow refugees to come home. Today the UK has taken the first of those steps.”

Zachary Katznelson, Reprieve Senior Counsel, said: “I cannot tell you how happy this makes their children, families and friends who have prayed for these men every night for more than five years. “

Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: “This is a belated recognition of our moral responsibility towards these men. Up to now, the Government’s attitude has been supine in the face of systematic violation of all known legal principles. It has been left to opposition MPs to make the case for their return to the UK.”

The Government’s move was welcomed by civil rights groups. James Welch, legal director for Liberty said: “This change of policy is extremely welcome, especially if it signals a bigger change of approach on both sides of the Atlantic. Surely US and UK governments need no further evidence that internment, kidnap and torture have been completely counterproductive in the struggle against terrorism.

“It’s high time that the special relationship returned to its original values of defending liberty rather than degrading it.”

The Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather, who has campaigned for the release of her constituent Jamil El Banna, said it was fantastic news for his family. Ms Teather, who is also chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Guantanamo Bay, said: “This is fantastic news and a tremendous relief for Jamil’s family. Jamil’s youngest daughter will be meeting her dad for the first time. They have shown incredible bravery, strength and determination.”

But she said the decision to seek the release of the men was long overdue and the delay represented a “gross dereliction of duty” by the Government.

“This decision should have been taken years ago. Abandoning British residents to indefinite imprisonment in obscene conditions was a gross dereliction of duty by the Government. Guantanamo Bay is an insult to democracy and a violation of the principles the war on terror purports to defend. Many questions remain over the Government’s complicity in the abduction and imprisonment of Jamil.”

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