The British government is holding discussions on the possible return of two British terrorist suspects held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to stand trial in the UK, Downing Street said tonight.
A spokesman said that the repatriation of Mr Feroz Abbasi and Mr Moazzam Begg was among a "range of issues" currently under discussion with the administration in Washington. "Those discussions are continuing," a spokesman said.
The two Britons are among six suspects held at Guantanamo Bay who have been warned that they could face trial by US military commissions, possibly resulting in the death penalty.
Mr Abbasi was arrested in Afghanistan in January 2002, and Mr Begg (35) was held in Pakistan in February, 2002, and held in Afghanistan for a year before being taken to the base in Cuba.
In the Commons yesterday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced a barrage of calls from Labour MPs demanding the repatriation of the two men to stand trial in Britain.
More than 200 MPs have now signed a Commons motion calling for the men to be given a fair trial.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said the government had "strong reservations" about the military commissions which are not covered by the American constitution or US civil courts because they held on foreign soil.
PA