A campaign by The Argus to secure justice for Guantanamo detainee Omar Deghayes is being supported by politicians and religious leaders from around the world.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain became the first Government minister to explicitly demand the closure of the US military jail Camp Delta to give Mr Deghayes and more than 500 other inmates fair trials.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan joined the growing discord with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who compared the United States administration to the apartheid regime.

The Argus today called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to intervene and put pressure on the US to give Mr Deghayes a fair trial.

A dossier of information about the 36-year-old law graduate from Saltdean, who has been incarcerated under no charge at Guantanamo Bay for four years, was sent direct to Number 10.

It includes excerpts from our coverage of the case, highlighting support from all sectors of Brighton and Hove's population; a signed statement by Mr Deghayes' MP Des Turner; a copy of a council motion unanimously passed last March calling on the Government to take action and a copy of an Early Day Motion, now signed by 108 MPs, making the same demand.

In response to Mr Hain's comments yesterday Mr Blair said his position on Guantanamo Bay had not changed.

He said: "I have said all the way along, I think I said last year, that it's an anomaly and sooner or later it has got to be dealt with."

Michael Beard, the editor of The Argus, told Mr Blair in a letter sent to Downing Street today: "For Mr Deghayes and the dozens of other prisoners who have been on hunger strike since last August, sooner or later' is not good enough.

"Every day their detention continues they are subject to extremely painful force-feeding methods condemned by international medical bodies, including the World Medical Association, and considered torture by the UN, as detailed in its report released last Thursday, and the International Red Cross.

"Time is running out for Mr Deghayes and it is not overstating the case when we say that his life may depend on your actions."

Brighton Kemp Town MP Mr Turner said developments of the previous two days were good news.

Mr Turner said: "I am very glad members of the Government are starting to move.

"It's long overdue.

"We need to see some action.

"The Americans are entirely isolated in their belief that they can conduct affairs in this way, trampling on human rights and creating their own definition of torture."

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper said: "It's great news that both the UN has officially called for the closure of Guantanamo and here senior politicians are saying it too, not just us backbenchers.

"I hope the Government will now take a much stronger line with the US over this."

Hove MP Celia Barlow said: "It has always been our view that Guantanamo Bay should never have existed. I find it an abhorrent facility."