Foreign secretary Jack Straw has protested to the US about the conditions in which three Britons captured in Afghanistan are being held.

The men are being held at the American military base in Cuba in cages open to the elements, prompting Straw to telephone US secretary of state Colin Powell at the weekend to seek assurances about their treatment.

Straw is also believed to have called on the US government to ensure the Britons do not face the death penalty if found guilty of treason.

Meanwhile, the British army has called up 140 territorial army intelligence specialists to assist in the war on terrorism. Up to 40 may be sent to Afghanistan while the remainder will be based in the UK.