Teather Returns To Washington

3.32.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 9th Feb 2007

Sarah Teather is visiting Washington to represent her constituents

Sarah Teather, local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, will next week travel to Washington DC to raise the case of her constituent Jamil el-Banna with Senators in the United States.

Jamil, whose wife and children live in Dollis Hill, has been in Guantánamo Bay for the last 4 years, held without trial or charge. Local MP Sarah Teather has been working with local campaigners to have Jamil brought home to Brent, and will now use the parliamentary recess to take the campaign to the American Senate. Both the American and British Governments of George Bush and Tony Blair have consistently refused to help Jamil.

Sarah last visited Washington in March 2006. Since then there have been major changes in American politics, with the Democrats taking control of the Senate. Sarah hopes that the new political leadership in America will be good news for Jamil. She will meet with Senators, Congressmen, and Senior Officials at both the Pentagon and the British Embassy.

Speaking on the eve of the trip, local MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"This visit will give me another opportunity to speak with key US Representatives on behalf of the el-Banna family.

"Guantánamo Bay does massive harm to America's reputation here in Britain. Many people in Brent value justice and the rule of international law. There is real anger that George Bush has violated these democratic principles. Guantánamo does nothing for the 'war on terror' but merely acts as a recruiting sergeant for those who wish to commit evil acts.

"If the US administration has evidence that those held in Guantanamo have been involved in illegal activities then they should give them a fair trial in a court of law, otherwise they must be set free. Jamil el-Banna belongs here in Brent with his family."

Sarah Teather will be in Washington from Monday 12th until Thursday 15th February. Her meetings include:

• Senator Jeff Bingamen, New Mexico (Democrat)

• Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia (Democrat)

• Senator Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania (Republican)

• Senator Dianne Feinstein, California (Democrat)

• Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont (Democrat)

• Miguel E. Rodríguez, Counsel to Senator Hillary Clinton, New York (Democrat)

• Lara Flint, Attorney and Advisor to the Judiciary Committee and Senator Feingold, Wisconsin (Democrat)

• James Slepian, Advisor to Senator Gordon Smith, Oregon (Republican)

• Alissa Starzak, Advisor to Senator Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia (Democrat)

• Alison Freedman, Advisor to Senator Dodd, Connecticut (Democrat)

• Alan Liotta, Detainee Affairs, Pentagon

• Alan Charlton, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy

• Simon Mustard, British Embassy