Controversial comic Frankie Boyle has gone on hunger strike in support of Shaker Aamer - the last British detainee in Guantánamo Bay.

The Scottish funnyman, who in December donated the £50,000 he won in his libel action against the Daily Mirror to Aamer's legal fund, stopped eating on Wednesday in a bid to highlight the plight of the detainee from London, who is one of dozens of inmates refusing food in protest over their treatment.

Mr Boyle, 41, took the baton from human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith of Reprieve, who represents Aamer.

A prolific user of the micro-blogging site Twitter, Boyle has kept followers updated on the hunger strike.

On Wednesday night, before embarking on his protest, he wrote: "Taking up the hunger strike by proxy for Shaker Aamer tomorrow.

Congratulations to the bold @CliveSSmith after 7 days. I'll see how it goes."

Once the hunger strike was underway he continued to update followers tweeting late last night:

"Day 2 of hunger strike feels a bit like being drunk. Feel pretty good, but no doubt I'll wake up to find myself in bathroom eating soap."

Clive Stafford Smith began his hunger strike over a week ago as part of Reprieve's 'The Stand Fast For Justice campaign', which aims to "promote the rule of law around the world, and secure each person’s right to a fair trial."

Shaker Aamer has been on hunger strike in Guantanamo Bay for over 150 days.

According to the 'Stand For Justice' website, people from around the world have promised around 1200 days hunger striking on the prisoners’ behalf.

Shaker Aamer was arrested in Afghanistan in 2001 and has been held at the prison in Guantanamo Bay, without charge, since then.

Fair play to Frankie for standing up for what he believes in, but it's nothing to go without food. The hunger almost completely subsides after no more than 5 days, and the body begins to fast and feels better than it has done in a long time. It's no biggie.

Shaker Aamer has been on hunger strike in Guantanamo Bay for over 150 days.

Hmmmm, could this be the way forward, a global 'hunger strike'?

mild_peril wrote:

I see what you're saying but I wouldn't go as far as claiming it's a 'no biggie'. Someone accoustomed to a well fed lifestyle will find it quite hard I reckon.



And I certainly suspect that the gentleman above has long since passed the 'no biggie' point.

oioioi wrote:

My arse would agree completely

psketti wrote:
That could be taken a few ways!

What you said!

Not your arse!

Although....