Watson goes on hunger strike in solidarity with Guantánamo prisoners

The Labour deputy leader insisted he had not launched 'some George Osborne-inspired weight-loss plan' and would spend a day allowing himself nothing but 'sips of water'.

He said he was backing prisoners Ahmed Rabbani and Khalid Qasim, who have reportedly been without food for 26 days.

They are on hunger strike in protest over 'a decade of torture, injustice and indifference'.

West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson said the pair have been denied medical treatment or monitoring and are at risk of death, as they are not being force-fed anymore.

He is calling on Theresa May to use her influence to "save the lives" of Rabbani and Qasim, and has asked others to join him in his hunger strike.

"I’m following the Guantánamo diet in solidarity with two men who are being slowly starved to death by President Trump," he said.

"His administration has changed its practice towards detainees who choose to refuse food in protest at their incarceration.

"Previously they were force-fed, a cruel and inhuman punishment in itself. Now they are no longer fed at all.

"Make no mistake, these men will die at the hands of Donald Trump if nothing is done."

Mr Watson said it was time for Mrs May to keep to her word and allow Britain to provide a 'moral lead in the world'.

"This is her chance," he said. "She has closely allied herself with President Trump, holding his hand in Washington and inviting him here.

"She must now tell him to save the lives of Ahmed and Khalid, and she should go one step further.

"She should tell President Trump to close down Guantánamo Bay and give the men locked up there what they have been asking for: a fair trial or a release.

"When America abandons our shared values, we must play the role of the critical friend."

Qasim, originally from Yemen, has been detained at Guantánamo for over 15 years, while Rabbani, a citizen of Pakistan, has been detained at for over 12 years.