SUPPORTERS of Shaker Aamer, the last British detainee at Guantanamo Bay, launch a series of 24-hour fasts today to highlight calls for his immediate release.

More than 200 people including politicians, celebrities and journalists have pledged to abstain from eating in solidarity with Mr Aamer over the next three weeks.

He is currently on hunger strike over a delay in the US Congress process to free him.

The fluid-only fasts are to “encourage Shaker to give up his hunger strike,” which he embarked upon in protest at the constant torture and abuse inflicted on him in the US military prison in Cuba.

Mr Aamer’s release was “confirmed” on September 25 but the US government said it had to give Congress 30 days’ notice before they end his almost 14 years of detention without charge or trial.

The father-of-four has said he is afraid that he will die before he is reunited with his family in south London.

His lawyers, from human rights organisation Reprieve, ex-Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters, actors Mark Rylance, Maxine Peake and Harriet Walter, journalist Yvonne Ridley and comedian Frankie Boyle have all signed-up.

MPs John McDonnell, Caroline Lucas, Andy Slaughter, Tania Mathias, Tom Brake and David Davis — who also pledged fasts — are scheduled to attend the launch outside Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Aamer’s father-in-law Saeed Siddique, actor David Morrissey, comedian Sara Pascoe and We Stand with Shaker co-directors Joanne MacInnes and Andy Worthington will also be in attendance.

Mr Worthington said that the campaign was grateful for the strong show of solidarity and the fight to “keep up the pressure” for Mr Aamer’s release.