Britain has rejected an offer from the United States for the return of nine British residents held at Guantanamo Bay after months of secret talks between the two countries, a British newspaper said on Tuesday.

Documents revealed by The Guardian said the United States was prepared to allow the release of these British detainees if they were kept under 24-hour surveillance by the British authorities.

But the British government refused to accept restrictions on their movement, calling them "unnecessary and unworkable," said the report.

Although all were accused of terrorist involvement, Britain said there was no intelligence to warrant the measures Washington wanted, and it lacked the resources to implement them.

According to the report, the documents are understood to have been submitted by British Foreign Office officials for a judicial review into the decision, made by then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, not to apply for the men's release.

Secret talks were held over the release of British detainees at Guantanamo Bay in June, the newspaper said, referring to witness statements from two British senior officials. But the Foreign Office has consistently denied that any talks have taken place over the issue of the detained British residents.

At least nine British residents have been detained without trial at Guantanamo Bay for more than four years after being taken prisoner in the so-called war on terror. The United States is under mounting international pressure to close its prison at the Cuban base.

Source: Xinhua