An Australian detainee in Guantanamo Bay has won his legal battle to be granted UK citizenship in a move he hopes will secure his release from the US prison camp.
The United States has so far released nine British detainees from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba after requests by the UK government.
Australian David Hicks (30) has been held for more than three years and is due to face charges at a military commission of fighting for militant groups in Afghanistan, including al-Qaeda and the Taliban. He has denied the charges.
Mr Hicks claims British citizenship by virtue of his mother having been born in the United Kingdom. His application had been denied on grounds of public policy because of his alleged involvement with terrorism.
At the High Court in London, however, Mr Justice Andrew Collins ruled that there was "no power in law to deprive the claimant of his citizenship", and that he must therefore be registered as a UK citizen.
"But in my view it would be improper to fail to give assistance which would otherwise have been given simply because the claimant was believed to be involved in terrorism and has not had any previous connection with this country."
In contrast to Britain, the Australian government has consistently supported the US military commission process and has refused to seek Mr Hick's repatriation.
The judge said that the Australian government believed the system to be fair, and was not prepared to take any steps to prevent Mr Hicks from being held in Guantanamo Bay.
However, he said: "It is clear that English law regards the detention and proposed trial of the claimant to be contrary to the rule of law.