Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks has the legal right to become a British citizen after the British Court of Appeal has refused to consider further appeals from the British Home Office.
Consequently, the Home Office must resume the process of declaring Hicks to be a UK citizen, after losing two appeals
His father, Terry Hicks, says the decision is welcome.
He has told the media he now hopes the British government will be under pressure to get his son out of the United States detention centre in Cuba.
‘It’s going to be interesting now to see what the British government does, whether they will proceed shortly or down the road to get David out of Guantanamo.
‘With the processes that have been going on now with the ruling against the government on these appeals. Well, David is now a British citizen.’ Mr Hicks said
David Hicks' lawyer, Major Michael Mori says Hicks could be entitled to claim his freedom through his British citizenship.
But Major Mori says it is now down to the US Department of Defence to allow the final step for Hicks to become a British Citizen.
“I mean it's really up to the Department of Defence of the United States. Are they going to interfere anymore or not? Or will they step aside and let the British Government representatives get down there? Just five minutes with David, and they can administer the oath.” Mr Mori said