Thank You For Guantanamo Help - Teather

1.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Jan 2007

Sarah Teather MP organised a vigil opposite Downing Street for her constituent in Guantanamo Bay

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, has thanked local people for supporting the campaign to have Jamil el-Banna returned to Brent.

Last week Sarah went with Jamil's sons Anas and Mohamed to hand in a petition to 10 Downing Street, signed by 1,400 Brent residents.

Sarah also organised a vigil which was attended by friends of the el-Banna family, Kilburn Amnesty Group, Sir Ming Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, as well as many people from across Brent.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"The 5th anniversary of Guantánamo Bay's opening brought further pain and sadness to the el-Banna family. It was wonderful, and a huge comfort for the family, to see so many people from Brent rallying together.

"Guantánamo Bay is an international outrage which not only contravenes every single legal principle, but also the very values that Blair and Bush's war on terror claims to defend. The Government must now listen to people in Brent and do all they can to have Jamil brought home, whereby he should be either charged or released.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ming Campbell supported Sarah's vigil

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all those joined me and the el-Banna family to support this campaign. We still have a long way to go, but your help really has made all the difference this week. I will not give up until Jamil is brought home to Brent."

Related Link:

Watch the film of the Guantanamo Bay Vigil.