EAST LANCASHIRE MP Greg Pope wants to visit the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba in a new embarrassment for Tony Blair.

He is a member of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, which has been strongly critical of the holding of terror suspects without trial in the unofficial prison, and is seeking permission for the US government to see what happens there.

If the all-party group does visit it is likely to step up calls for Guantanamo to be closed. Hyndburn Labour MP Mr Pope said: "I am all in favour of going to Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay.

"I have been a strong critic of the camp. I think it is a disgrace. As part of the war on terror you cannot hold people without trial. It should be closed at once".

While Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells tried to put a brave face on the plan, a trip by British MPs could put increasing pressure on Mr Blair's relationship with US President George W Bush.

Commenting on the proposed visit, Mr Howells said he agreed that there needed to be a "greater understanding" of how the facility operated, adding that the Government's position remained that it would be better if the base was closed.

He said: "I fully agree that there needs to be a greater understanding of how Guantanamo operates.

" A visit, say by the Foreign Affairs Committee of this House, would clearly help to achieve this. I understand that the Foreign Affairs Committee is already in touch with the US administration about visiting the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay."

Dr Howells added: "Our position is clear and consistent. It would be better if Guantanamo were closed. But tmembers should recognise that this is not an easy task and that balancing security and liberty never has been easy."