Tories split over charges

Claims by shadow home secretary David Davis that the five Britons to be released could face treason charges today sparked a Tory split.

Mr Davis surprised many MPs on his own side when he said: "If they fought against coalition troops, they should be charged and tried in the UK ... there may be a case for treason."

But today the Tories' homeland security spokesman, Patrick Mercer, told Radio 4: "I don't think we should start talking about trying people for treason until such time as the correct evidence is produced by the US government."

And Sir Nicholas Lyell, attorney general under John Major, said any evidence collected against the men would be unlikely to meet standards of prosecution in Britain.