Briton accused of Saudi car bombings makes confession

One of a group of Britons jailed in Saudi Arabia in connection with a series of bombings has dramatically changed his story and confessed to the crime.

James Lee has admitted to being involved in the explosions which killed one Briton and injured several others. Relatives of the other men claim that the Saudi authorities have been putting pressure on the British prisoners.

The group was detained following car bombs, which the Saudis blamed on turf wars between illegal alcohol importers.

Lee, a 40-year-old hospital engineer from Cardiff, was arrested in April 2000 in connection with a bomb which blinded and maimed David Brown, a marketing executive. Along with two other men, he claimed responsibility in a televised confession which was subsequently withdrawn. From that date they all maintained their innocence and appealed against their 18-year sentence.

But in a statement passed to the British consul in Riyadh on 22 December, Lee confessed to playing a part in earlier explosions. British diplomats, who were said to be astonished by the confession and plea for clemency, are calling for urgent talks with the Saudi authorities.

Lee's lawyer Salah al-Hejailan could not explain his client's decision. He said: "I have asked him many times why he wished to change his story, but all he would tell me is 'I just want to go home'.

"I do not believe there has been any physical pressure applied, but he clearly cannot take any more."

Lee was said by the other detainees to have suffered a breakdown. Their families now fear that the authorities will take the view that one confession confirms all are guilty.

Mary Martini, the former wife of one of the other men, James Cottle, insisted the Saudi authorities were "breaking" the men one by one as the Foreign Office simply stood by and watched.