Campaigners seeking the release of former Brighton resident Omar Deghayes from Guantanamo Bay prison camp have argued their case before a top US Embassy official.

Jackie Chase of the Save Omar campaign, Mr Deghayes's brother Abubaker, his lawyer Clive Stafford Smith and Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner were granted an audience with Rik Bell, first secretary to the American Embassy, at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster yesterday.

Mr Stafford Smith has visited Guantanamo Bay on several occasions.

He told Mr Bell the conditions of prisoners held at the camp in Cuba were "much worse" than those endured by the death row prisoners he had represented in Louisiana and Mississippi over the past two decades.

Mr Bell promised to pass on the comments to the US State Department.

He added that when British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw asked a question of the US Government, he gets an answer.

Jackie Chase said the campaign would now be stepped up to persuade Mr Straw to intervene in Omar's case.

She said: "The problem is the British Government and the Foreign Secretary's refusal to get involved and appeal on behalf of the British residents held there.

"Our next move is to get on to Jack Straw because the Americans are claiming to be prepared to listen to him.

"He needs to appeal on Omar's behalf."

Mr Deghayes, a 36-year-old law graduate from Saltdean, has spent four years in confinement at Guantanamo Bay, despite not having been charged with a crime.

Last month The Argus sent a dossier to Prime Minister Tony Blair and called on him to put pressure on the US to give Mr Deghayes a fair trial.

The Argus has been told to expect a response from the Foreign Office.