A Spanish court will consider opening a criminal case against six former Bush administration officials, including former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, over allegations they gave legal cover for torture at Guantanamo Bay, a lawyer said.

In a stunning turnaround, the former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay says he will be a defence witness for the driver of terror chief Osama bin Laden.

BOWING to pressure from two key allies in the US-declared war on terrorism, the Pentagon said it would not seek the death penalty in any military trials held for two British subjects or an Australian national held at Guantanamo Bay.