UAE reveals bribe charges for Briton

The United Arab Emirates last night revealed details of bribe charges against a British businessman held in custody since March.

George Atkinson, 45, who organised and promoted the Professional Golfers' Association European Tour tournament, the Desert Classic, faces two sets of charges; that he offered bribes to Stephen Trutch, an employee of the Dubai government, and assisted him in receiving the bribes, and, later, that he conspired with and assisted Mr Trutch in obtaining unlawful commissions and prejudicing the interests of the Dubai government "in order to obtain unlawful profits for himself and Mr Trutch". The details were revealed in a statement from the UAE Embassy in London clearly angered by press statements that Mr Atkinson was being held without charge. Repeated bail applications have failed.