After four years imprisonment at Guantanamo without a trial, and spending most of his time in solitary confinement, including well over 150 days in sensory deprivation, he is hoping to become a British citizen. This is mainly because our PM, John Howard has washed his hands of Hicks, as well as the fact that the UK managed to get all 9 of their citizens released.
However it has emerged today that the US is refusing Britain access to him so he can take an oath to become a British citizen. A high court judge last December ruled that he was entitled to citizenship, and yesterday the government promised in court that the foreign secretary, Margaret Beckett, will this weekend consider lobbying the US for Mr Hick's release, and the US will consider allowing one of its officers to administer the oath of allegiance to the Queen.
It is surely about time.
Bookmarks