A Sussex MP has flown to Washington with a dossier from The Argus to demand justice for Guantanamo prisoner Omar Deghayes.

Des Turner, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, will meet officials at the US State Department this week to call for Mr Deghayes, from Saltdean, to be put on trial or released.

Mr Deghayes, a law student and Libyan national, has been held without charge in the notorious jail in Cuba since he was arrested in 2002.

In March, fellow British resident prisoner Bisher alRawi was freed after MP Ed Davey petitioned for his release.

Dr Turner is following suit and will be handing over a dossier of articles, put together by The Argus, to the White House.

He said: "Guantanamo is totally wrong and I hope, in particular, to find out what is the story with Omar, whether he poses a security threat and when he can be expected to be released. They must try him or release him.

"Then one thing we also need to find out is if he is released whether he can return to Britain."

In a letter to George Bush accompanying the report, Michael Beard, the editor of The Argus, writes: "The Argus newspaper has campaigned for justice for Mr Deghayes and his family.

"He may have charges to answer. If so he should be dealt with according to the rule of law.

"He may be innocent. If so, his indefinite detention in direct violation of the Geneva Convention is even more unacceptable."

Save Omar activists welcomed the progress and said the trip could help the campaign to secure justice for Mr Deghayes.

Louise Purbrick, of the Save Omar group, thanked The Argus for compiling the dossier which demonstrates the strength of feeling behind the campaign.

She hopes Dr Turner's visit could lead to Mr Deghayes being released after four years detention without charge and his supporters are also calling for him to be returned to Britain rather than Libya, where they say his life would be in danger.

Ms Purbrick said: "Another British resident was released when his MP made a trip to Washington.

"When the Americans read The Argus articles they will understand the strength of feeling and support that Omar has.

"We want, and hope, for Omar to be released but if this does not happen after the meeting at least we will have an idea of what to do next to secure his release.

"We look forward to meeting Des Turner on his return."

Dr Turner is going to Washington with the Science and Technology Select Committee as part of an investigation into marine science.

He will extend his stay to meet state department officials on Friday, May 25.