British government bids to defuse X-ray camp row

The British government tonight attempted to defuse the row over the al-Qaida suspects held by the US at Camp X-Ray, insisting their conditions were in line with ‘‘international humanitarian norms’’.

Foreign Office Minister Ben Bradshaw said a team of UK officials who visited the three British prisoners held at the Guatanamo Bay naval base in Cuba had been satisfied that the reports of mistreatment were false.

In a Commons statement, Mr Bradshaw also indicated the Government would make representations to the Americans to ensure none of the British prisoners captured in Afghanistan were put on trial for their lives in the United States.

A Foreign Office spokesman said later that as they had not received any indication as to what - if any - charges they might face, no representations had yet been made concerning the death penalty.

Earlier, Downing Street confirmed that the Britons included 22-year-old Feroz Abbasi from Croydon, south London, who was named in weekend media reports. The other two Britons were not being named.

Mr Bradshaw told MPs the detainees had been able to speak freely to the British officials and none had complained of any ill-treatment.

He said the ‘‘more lurid allegations’’ over the weekend that they had faced torture and sensory deprivation at the hands of their American captors had proved ‘‘completely false’’.

Pictures of some of the prisoners in orange jumpsuits, blindfolded, on their knees with their hands shackled behind their backs had been taken when they arrived at the base, when security was paramount, and did not reflect normal conditions in the camp.

‘‘The House should not forget that we are talking about some of the most dangerous men in the world who have in the past displayed murderous and suicidal tendencies and often both together,’’ he said.

‘‘On the basis of the detailed report I have seen today, I am satisfied that these accusations were premature and that the detainees are being treated in line with international humanitarian norms in conditions where security is paramount.’’

He added: ‘‘Both we and the Americans are well aware that we will be judged by a higher standard than the Taliban and al Qaida and on the basis of the report I have seen today, I can confirm that these standards are being met.’’