The Government has taken a new stance on a handful of detainees at the American prisoner of war camp at Guantanamo Bay.

It is calling for the release into UK custody of five prisoners, including Omar Deghayes, who the Argus in Brighton has been campaigning for since 2005.

The decision comes after The Argus launched its Justice for Omar campaign, which has called for him to be released or put on trial.

According to the Argus, Omar, from Saltdean, should get a fair trial instead of indefinite detention. He is not a UK national but had been allowed to remain in the UK prior to being taken prisoner by US forces in their war on terror while in Afghanistan in 2002.

He and his family were granted asylum by the Government nearly 20 years ago following the murder of his trade unionist father in Libya

Omar's lawyers had argued that the Government had a legal and moral responsibility to step in, but officials previously disagreed because he is not a British citizen and a judicial review last year ruled that the High Court could not force the Government to intervene.

Omar’s brother Abubaker said public pressure - including The Argus campaign - had helped bring about the Government's change of heart.

He said: "I think The Argus made a difference. It has shown a tremendous example of how the media is vital, and has really worked hard for justice for Omar.

"Justice is a pillar of British values and I'm grateful to whoever made the decision in the British Government to take this step. I am delighted the British public sincerely stood by us."

Argus editor Michael Beard wrote in a letter to the US State Department earlier this year: "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 said that Deghayes might be innocent, which would make his indefinite detention in direct violation of the Geneva Convention.

The Government secured the release of nine British citizens from the detention camp in Cuba more than two years ago.

But the Foreign Office warned that discussions with the US about the release of the latest set of detainees "may take some time".

It is not known whether the 37-year-old former law student has been made aware of the Government's move.