Lord Peter Goldsmith, who was involved in the negotiations to release all nine of the British citizens held in the military camp, said that "the existence of Guantanamo Bay remains unacceptable," adding "it is time, in my view, that it should close."
He’s the highest British official to make the call for closure, adding that shutting down the controversial prison would help the United States burnish its global image. "Not only would it, in my personal opinion, be right to close Guantanamo as a matter of principle, I believe it would also help to remove what has become a symbol to many - right or wrong - of injustice," he said.
"The historic tradition of the United States as a beacon of freedom, liberty and of justice deserves the removal of this symbol," he told a conference on terrorism at the Royal United Services Institute.
Kate Allen, who heads the British branch of human rights group Amnesty International, welcomed the comments but said more must be done, "The real test is whether the UK Government is prepared to put serious pressure on the US administration to see that the camp is closed and that all prisoners are released to safe countries or brought before proper courts on the US mainland," Ms Allen said.
Hick’s lawyer encouraged
For four years, some 500 detainees have been held at Guantanamo Bay but only 10 have been formally charged as terrorists, including Australian David Hicks who is battling with the British government to receive UK citizenship, in the hopes that the government will lobby for his release as they have done for their other citizens.
Mr Hicks’ Australian laywer says Lord Goldsmith’s comments are a boost for his client, "These comments coming from their most senior legal officer are very heartening," David McLeod told ABC radio.
“It's certainly my hope and the hope of David's supporters that the UK government as a whole will come together and realise that it should go into bat for its newest citizen as it has for the other nine," he added.
But Australian Prime Minister John Howard has brushed off Lord Goldsmith’s criticisms telling ABC radio, "We listen to what others say on these matters, we don't necessarily agree with them on everything."
Mr Howard added that that Australia has its own way in the handling of Mr Hicks. "Irrespective of what Lord Goldsmith, or indeed anybody else, may say we make up our own mind about these things and that's our position," he told ABC radio.
"Our view in relation to Guantanamo Bay and in relation to David Hicks is that he should be brought to trial before the (United States) military commission without further delay. And what is delaying his trial at the moment is not the Australian government, it's not the American administration - it's a court challenge to the authority of the military commission in the United States court system.”