The last British resident being held in Guantanamo Bay was coming home to Wandsworth today after 13 years in a US prison.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said this morning Shaker Aamer had left the US military base and was on his way to the UK.

He left Guantanamo Bay at 11.30pm US time and landed at Biggin Hill airport at lunchtime.

It was confirmed this evening he would spend the next few weeks in hospital before finally returning to his family at home. 

The Save Shaker campaign group wrote today: "Shaker Aamer is back on British soil! We understand he has been taken to the hospital for a full medical checkup.

"He has many health problems due to his torture and incarceration in Guantanamo for almost 14 years, physical and otherwise."

Andy Worthington, the co-director of the We Stand With Shaker campaign, said: "We are delighted to hear about Shaker Aamer's return to the UK, bringing to an end his long and unacceptable ordeal in US custody for nearly 14 years.

"Eight years ago, under George W. Bush, Shaker was first told that the US no longer wanted to hold him, and in 2009 the Obama administration also approved him for release. To be held for so long, after being approved for release, is unforgivable.

"We hope that on his return he is not detained by the UK authorities, and will immediately be allowed to be reunited with his family, and to begin to receive the medical and psychological care that he urgently needs to begin to put his life back together again."

Mr Worthington also noted that of 112 people left in Guantanamo, 52 have been cleared for release by hig-level US reviews, and called for them to be released.

Jane Ellison, MP for Battersea, said: "This is very welcome news for my constituent, who has been held in Guantanamo for over 13 years without charge or trial, and a great relief to his wife and children in my Battersea constituency.

"There has been consistent cross-party Parliamentary support for Mr Aamer's release and the Foreign Office have worked hard to secure this outcome.”

"At this sensitive time for the Aamer family, I would hope that their privacy is respected as they adapt to their new situation."

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan sent his message this morning. 

He said: "I welcome the news that after 13 long years Shaker Aamer has finally been released and has begun his journey home back to the UK and to his wife and children.

"It is a disgrace that Shaker Aamer has been held in Guantanamo Bay all of this time, without charge or trial, despite being cleared for release eight years ago."

Despite being in Guantanamo Bay since 2002 the Saudi national has never been charged with a crime or put on trial. 

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