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Shaker Aamer: Last UK Guantanamo Bay detainee arrives in UK | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The last British resident to be held in Guantanamo Bay has landed in the UK, having been detained there for 13 years. | |
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announced earlier that Shaker Aamer had left the US military base in Cuba. | |
The Saudi national, 48, whose family live in London, has never been charged. | |
Campaigners say his release was "long overdue", while a Downing Street spokeswoman said any necessary security measures "will be put in place". | |
Number 10 said Prime Minister David Cameron "welcomes" the release of Mr Aamer, who has four children and has permission to live in the UK indefinitely because his wife is British. | |
Mr Aamer's father-in-law, Saeed Siddique, said his release was a "miracle". | |
He arrived at London's Biggin Hill airport shortly before 13:00 GMT. | |
'Areas of concern' | |
Downing Street said there were "no plans" to detain him after his arrival. | |
US authorities first held Mr Aamer in Afghanistan in 2001, alleging he had led a unit of Taliban fighters and had met former al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. | |
However, Mr Aamer maintains he was in Afghanistan with his family doing charity work. | |
Andy Worthington, co-director of the We Stand With Shaker campaign, said Mr Aamer, who is reported to have health problems, will require "psychological and medical care" when he returns to his family in London. | |
In letters sent to the BBC by his lawyers earlier this month, Mr Aamer described himself as "an old car that has not been to the garage for years", saying the first thing he wanted once freed was a cup of coffee. | In letters sent to the BBC by his lawyers earlier this month, Mr Aamer described himself as "an old car that has not been to the garage for years", saying the first thing he wanted once freed was a cup of coffee. |
"I have known nothing about the real world for more than 13 years," he wrote. | "I have known nothing about the real world for more than 13 years," he wrote. |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent | By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent |
When the business jet carrying Shaker Aamer lands in London he is likely to be met by British officials and detectives. | When the business jet carrying Shaker Aamer lands in London he is likely to be met by British officials and detectives. |
But if his case is handled like other returning detainees, he will soon be free to go on his way. | But if his case is handled like other returning detainees, he will soon be free to go on his way. |
His lawyers say he will need medical and mental assessments. He may, like others who have been held at Guantanamo, be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. | His lawyers say he will need medical and mental assessments. He may, like others who have been held at Guantanamo, be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. |
It's unlikely we will ever find out if MI5 does decide to monitor Mr Aamer - by definition its work is secret. | It's unlikely we will ever find out if MI5 does decide to monitor Mr Aamer - by definition its work is secret. |
On a human level, Shaker Aamer's return is the end of the UK's involvement in Guantanamo. But it's not the end of the story. | On a human level, Shaker Aamer's return is the end of the UK's involvement in Guantanamo. But it's not the end of the story. |
The government's long-promised investigation into substantial allegations that our agencies were mixed up in rendition and torture hasn't happened - and many people are still demanding answers. | The government's long-promised investigation into substantial allegations that our agencies were mixed up in rendition and torture hasn't happened - and many people are still demanding answers. |
Who is Shaker Aamer? | Who is Shaker Aamer? |
What now for Guantanamo detainee? | What now for Guantanamo detainee? |
Shaker Aamer in his own words | Shaker Aamer in his own words |
Mr Aamer's release has been welcomed by human rights groups and a number of MPs - but some say serious questions remain unanswered. | |
Kate Allen, from Amnesty International, said Mr Aamer had been held in "intolerable circumstances for nearly 14 years". | |
Cori Crider, from Reprieve, who is also Mr Aamer's lawyer in America, said he now needed to "see a doctor and then get to spend time alone with his family". | Cori Crider, from Reprieve, who is also Mr Aamer's lawyer in America, said he now needed to "see a doctor and then get to spend time alone with his family". |
Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn MP, tweeted his release was "great news", while Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell said Mr Aamer must receive "full support" on his return to the UK. | Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn MP, tweeted his release was "great news", while Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell said Mr Aamer must receive "full support" on his return to the UK. |
Tory MP David Davis said he was keen to speak to Mr Aamer, saying: "I am sure many more MPs, look forward to seeing what he has to say about his detention." | Tory MP David Davis said he was keen to speak to Mr Aamer, saying: "I am sure many more MPs, look forward to seeing what he has to say about his detention." |
Bounty hunters | |
Mr Aamer's release was confirmed by the UK government last month, when his daughter, Johina, 17, tweeted: "We can't believe we might finally see our dad after 14 years." | |
Mr Aamer was detained in Afghanistan in 2001 by bounty hunters tracking down and handing over possible al-Qaeda suspects, shortly after the 9/11 attacks on America. | Mr Aamer was detained in Afghanistan in 2001 by bounty hunters tracking down and handing over possible al-Qaeda suspects, shortly after the 9/11 attacks on America. |
He was detained on the same day his son was born and has never seen him. | He was detained on the same day his son was born and has never seen him. |
Mr Aamer was first held by the US forces at Bagram air base, near Kabul, where his lawyers say he was tortured. They say he made false confessions to end his torture. | Mr Aamer was first held by the US forces at Bagram air base, near Kabul, where his lawyers say he was tortured. They say he made false confessions to end his torture. |
However, US officials accused him of being a "member of al-Qaeda tied to the European support network" and a "close associate" of Bin Laden himself. | However, US officials accused him of being a "member of al-Qaeda tied to the European support network" and a "close associate" of Bin Laden himself. |
In February 2002, Mr Aamer was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, where his lawyers say he suffered further abuse. | In February 2002, Mr Aamer was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, where his lawyers say he suffered further abuse. |
Some 112 people are believed to still be at Guantanamo, which President Barack Obama has promised to close. |