Saudi Deal Dropped As Briton Faces Lashes

The Government has withdrawn a bid for a contract with the Saudi justice system amid a row over the threatened thrashing of a British grandfather. The family of pensioner Karl Andree have been pleading with the UK Government to intervene because they fear the punishment could kill him. Mr Andree, 74, was sentenced to 12 months in jail by a Sharia court after police found home-made wine in the boot of his car in Jeddah last year.