The last recognised British resident in Guantanamo Bay yesterday won a crucial High Court victory in his bid to access documents his lawyers believe could help win him his freedom.

Two judges ruled lawyers for Shaker Aamer, who has been detained over seven years, were entitled to see UK government documents.

The lawyers say they contain evidence supporting his claims that confessions he made were obtained through torture.

The government is now expected to issue a public interest immunity certificate (PIIs) in a final bid to block disclosure on the grounds that it would be damaging to the public interest. This will be certain to lead to a new legal battle.

Mr Aamer, 42, who was born in Saudi Arabia, is a permanent UK resident, married to a British national living with their four children in London.

Yesterday Mr Aamer's lawyers told the High Court in London the Government documents he was seeking included evidence that British intelligence officers were present on at least two occasions when he was tortured, but they did not assist him.

Richard Hermer QC said Mr Aamer's legal team urgently needed to see the material as his case was currently being reviewed by the Guantanamo detainee review task force set up by US President Obama.

A decision on whether he would be released was expected by mid-January next year.

Lord Justice Sullivan and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones rejected the government arguments that Mr Aamer was not entitled to disclosure after a day-long hearing.