LAWYERS representing a former Guantanamo Bay inmate went to court yesterday to demand the US government release video evidence of force-feeding at the extraterritorial prison.

Penal campaigners Reprieve lawyers acting for Syrian former prisoner Abu Wa’el Dhiab want the Obama administration to comply with a previous court order to release the tapes.

In June last year, 16 media organisations sought the release of the videos on the grounds of freedom of speech. In October a judge ordered the footage be released to the press with appropriate redactions with respect to national security.

But the Obama administration refused to redact the tapes and appealed against the decision.

Cori Crider, Reprieve attorney for Mr Dhiab, said: “Ongoing abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo deserves to be reported like any other exposé of government abuse.”

“Much of the US press is in court today defending the First Amendment — and federal judges are losing patience with the president’s overreach.”