Moazzam Begg leaves prison after terror charges dropped

The father of Moazzam Begg has spoken to reporters, expressing his confusion as to why his son was detained for so long.

More: Begg: 'I want to reconnect with my family again'

Ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg has walked free from Belmarsh Prison after terror charges against him were dropped.

He had been held since February but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case just five days before his trial.

ITV News' Ben Chapman reports:

When former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg walked free from prison after being acquitted on terror charges earlier today, he told reporters that he wanted reconnect with his family again and point out some "failures" in the Government's foreign policy.

Earlier today, Mr Begg, who suffers from post-traumatic stress, appeared in before the Old Bailey via video-link from prison, as Mr Justice Wilkie directed that he be formally found not guilty.

Asked how he felt about the charges being dropped, Moazzam Begg told reporters:

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg has walked out of Belmarsh prison in south-east London after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped a string of terrorist charges linked to the civil war in Syria.

Moazzam Begg made no secret of his visits to Syria, his defence lawyer has said.

Ben Emmerson QC said Mr Begg was in Syria to train local people "to defend civilians against war crimes by the Assad regime" and was not involved in terrorism.

"He has never made any secret of his visits to Syria and on two occasions informed authorities of his travel plans," Mr Emmerson said.

The lawyer suggested Mr Begg's activities in Syria were not at odds with British government policy of giving non-lethal support.

Read: 'New material' led to dropping of Begg charges

The prosecution barrister in the Moazzam Begg case said recently obtained evidence meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".

Speaking at a pre-trial review today, Christopher Hehir said the Crown Prosecution had previously been "satisfied here was sufficient evidence to afford prosecution".

However he said prosecutors had "recently become aware of relevant material" that meant they would not be proceeding to trial.

Mr Begg had been set to stand trial on Monday accused of seven terror-related offences, including attending a training camp in Syria.

Read: 'New material' led to dropping of Begg charges

West Midlands Police have said the decision to drop seven terror charges against Moazzam Begg came after the discovery of "new material" relating to his case.

Chief constable Marcus Beale said: "New material has recently been disclosed to police and CPS, which has a significant impact on key pieces of evidence that underpinned the prosecution's case."

"Our criminal justice system - quite rightly - demands a very high standard of proof," he added.

He declined to go into further detail about the evidence, saying: "Explaining what this newly revealed information is would mean discussing other aspects of the case which would be unfair and inappropriate as they are no longer going to be tested in court."

Read: Moazzam Begg set for release from prison

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg is expected to be released from Belmarsh prison in south-east London later today.

Seven terror charges against the 45-year-old have been dropped following a review of Mr Begg's case.

He appeared before the Old Bailey via video link from the high security jail and did not react when the decision was announced.

Read: Moazzam Begg terror charges dropped

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg today had seven terror charges connected with the civil war in Syria dropped at the Old Bailey.