Court to rule on Al Fayed challenge

John Aston
Tuesday 19 October 1999 23:00 BST

Mohamed Al Fayed will learn tomorrow whether he has won a High Court battle in his latest attempt to be granted British citizenship.

Mohamed Al Fayed will learn tomorrow whether he has won a High Court battle in his latest attempt to be granted British citizenship.

The Egyptian-born multi-millionaire challenged Jack Straw's "inappropriately draconian" decision to refuse him a British passport in May. The Home Secretary decided the owner of Harrods was not of the necessary good character to be granted citizenship, taking into account his involvement in the cash-for-questions political scandal and the break-in to the Harrods safe-deposit box kept by his late business rival, Tiny Rowland.

Yesterday Michael Beloff QC, appearing for Mr Al Fayed, 66, described Mr Straw's ruling as "disproportionate, irrational and unfair". After a day-long hearing, Mr Justice Ognall said he would give his judgment tomorrow morning.

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