Cameron is interfering with the decision of Saudi Arabia to flog Karl Andree. These actions irritate me, people flaunt rules abroad despite knowing what the punishments are and yet we have the cheek to defend them.

I would hope that the decision to cancel the prison contract is nothing to do with this case, that would be shooting ourselves in the foot.

SOURCE

At his age, can we be sure the bloke isnt a bit simple or age related confused ?

Its nothing to do with us, its whatever the law of the land is, we should not be undermining the authority of another country by defending an individual who has brought our own country into disrepute.

I have no problem with our government challenging another country's policies but we shouldn't meddle with individual cases unless we are convinced that the person is innocent.

He has worked and lived out there for years, I just can't believe how stupid a mature adult can be. I dare say he's been ferrying it around for a long time.

I do think we have to intervene as a nation against certain punishments that we consider to be barbaric. If we don't, then there is no reason why we should not reintroduce capital punishment again in this country. We are either in agreement with capital punishment or not.

This is corporal punishment not capital punishment. The way it is done in Saudi doesn't generally break the skin, it does cause severe bruising. The full count isn't carried out at one time, its batched. It is extremely painful but doesn't usually leave permanent physical damage.

We see incidents that cause more damage frequently on our streets but we don't see any international reaction to them?

Quote DD "I have no problem with our government challenging another country's policies but we shouldn't meddle with individual cases unless we are convinced that the person is innocent."

Surely innocent OR disadvantaged mentally as I mentioned earlier? If hes definitely got all his marbles, then I wouldnt argue with you , no, we shouldnt interfere, but if there could be any indication that he's got mental health problems that arent being acknowledged by a foreign regime, then I think we should interfere. I suppose relatives or friends would have put that scenartio forward though by now , wouldnt they, if that was the case --

If he is with it enough to drive then I'd accept that as mentally competent. He is employed and working in Saudi.

He's been in Saudi 25 years, he knows exactly what the score is.

I agree; he was aware of the consequences if he were caught.

I don t think David Cameron should get involved with this.
Karl Andree must have known Saudi Law before he even thought about drinking the alcohol.

To be fair,I think they should knock off fifty lashes for good behavior .. he`s done twelve months and without a drink.

Have to ask why Saudi Arabia is head of the UN Human Rights Council. All they do is beheadings, crucifixions, lashings and apparently , beheaded more people last year than IS.
So why would any humanitarian country want to make a deal with them over prison services ? Saudi seem to have their own agenda on things anyway.

He may have committed the crime and even knew what the punishment would be. The crime was wrong but so is the punishment. He has served 14 months behind bars of a 12 month sentence. Is that not enough ?

Hope none of you start defending the actions of IS, simply because it's a cultural issue!!

well said Granny ! I can't see why anyone would condone this punishment.

I was only joking BTW .. but yeah let out,when they come over here they get upto all sorts,drinking,gambling Casino`s,and when they get into trouble they hide behind there diplomatic immunity card.

Yes, I know you were Van.

There's also a lot of drinking goes on behind closed doors in that part of the world too, in certain communities.

Think Cameron wants to have a go just to try and look big after shying away from Putin.

He is going to be released without being flogged. This will have cost us quite a few diplomatic points but I'm sure many think we should subsidise criminals.

This was put out on the 13th Oct.


Prime Minister David Cameron will write to the Saudi Arabian government about a UK pensioner imprisoned for possessing alcohol, Downing Street has said.

It follows concern from the children of Karl Andree that the 74-year-old will receive 360 lashes for the crime.


But BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Saudi and UK officials had assured him "there was never any question" of Mr Andree being flogged.

Delays in Saudi bureaucracy meant his release papers were held up, he said.

Our correspondent said Saudi officials had given private assurances to the UK Foreign Office.