Briton could face lashes over Saudi wine

Karl Andree, who is 74 years old and suffers from three different types of cancer, has been in prison since he was arrested by Saudi police over a year ago.

A Foreign Office spokesman said embassy staff were assisting Mr Andree.

“Given the ongoing concerns and the fact we would like to see more progress, the PM is writing today to the Saudis to further raise the case on the back of action that was already being taken by the Foreign Office and by ministers there”.

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, last month used his keynote speech at his partys annual conference to call on the prime minister to secure the release of a Saudi protestor, Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, who has been condemned to execution.

Simon Andree, the son of Karl, has welcomed David Cameron’s intervention, saying: “I am pleased”.

Simon added: “I’m not criticizing Saudi because it’s their law, it’s their way of life”.

“He has done his time, I just feel that these lashings are unjustified for his age and for his current health condition”.

A British grandfather is facing a punishment of 360 lashes in Saudi Arabia for making home-made wine.

A cabinet row has broken out between two senior ministers over the fate of a controversial prisons deal with Saudi Arabia.

The family of a British grandfather sentenced to 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia has pleaded with authorities to let the “frail” man come home. In the period from May 2010 to March 2015 the United Kingdom government licensed nearly 4 billion pounds ($6.1 billion) worth of arms to the Gulf state, according to research by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).

The campaign by the family comes at a time when Britains diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia is under new scrutiny.

According to the Times, Mr Gove had demanded the contract be withdrawn because of the Saudi government’s human rights record.

British officials say the case is being monitored closely.