Guantanamo man 'may stand as MP'

Moazzam Begg has been held since January 2002

Actors Corin and Vanessa Redgrave want a British detainee at Guantanamo Bay to stand for a Parliamentary seat.

Moazzam Begg, 36, from Birmingham, was arrested in Pakistan and has been held as a terror suspect at the US military base in Cuba since January 2002.

The Redgraves want Mr Begg to stand for their Peace and Progress Party.

His father Azmat said the matter was "under consideration", adding: "I don't know if he is mentally prepared or it's reasonable for him to stand."

Mr Begg, from Sparkhill, added he had received a new letter from his son, in which he says he has been moved out of solitary confinement.

His son writes: "I am now amongst other detainees, though still in individual cages, but finally have other Muslims to talk to...pray with."

His father says they have had cards, flowers and well-wishers calling from all over the world since the news that he is shortly to be released.

The Foreign Secretary said Mr Begg will be handed over to the police in the UK once he arrives here.