A team of Red Cross inspectors has told the US government that it should improve conditions for al Qaeda suspects regardless of whether they are categorised as prisoners of war.

The advice - mainly concerned with the size and exposed nature of detention cells - was given to the American authorities privately and a permanent Red Cross presence is to be established at the Guantanamo Bay camp.

Downing Street had earlier dismissed claims that three British prisoners were being mistreated. Rejecting reports that the detainees were blindfolded and shackled in inhumane conditions, a spokesman for the prime minister said: "The team confirmed that the three had no significant complaints - they are in good health and there was no sign of any mistreatment."