British banker killed in Saudi car bomb

A British banker was killed in a suspected car bomb explosion in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, today.

The explosion happened in the street outside a residential compound at 6.45am UK time, the Foreign Office said.

The man who died was named by Saudi officials as Simon John Veness, who worked at Al Bank Al Saudi Al Fransi.

FO officials said they were in close contact with both the Saudi police investigating the blast and the man's family.

It is thought an explosive device had been placed in the man's four-wheel drive car.

"The Saudi police are currently at the compound investigating the explosion.

"We are in close contact with the Saudi authorities and the family of the man who died in the explosion," he said.

After previous bomb attacks on westerners in the kingdom, Saudi authorities denied suggestions that Islamic fundamentalists were involved, claiming the attacks were linked to a 'turf war' between rival western bootleggers over the lucrative illicit alcohol market.

Five Britons are currently being held on charges relating to the bombing campaign, although there have been a number of attacks since they were arrested.

One of those Britons, Alexander Mitchell, 44, from Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, was reported in April to be facing death by beheading after a summary trial without legal representation.

Glasgow–born Canadian Bill Sampson was also reported to be facing the death penalty, while four other Britons and a Belgian were said to have been secretly sentenced to up to 18 years in prison for alleged involvement in the bombing campaign.

They were named as James Lee, 40, from Cardiff; James Cottle, 51, from Urmston, Manchester; Les Walker, from the Wirral, Merseyside; Peter Brandon, thought to be from Wales and Belgian Raf Schyvens.

Mr Mitchell was seen on Saudi television confessing to his part in a bombing campaign that killed British engineer Christopher Rodway in Riyadh two years ago and injured several others.

But the men later withdrew their confessions amid claims that they had been tortured.

Families of the men and human rights groups have criticised the kingdom's justice system and claimed the group have been detained without evidence and tortured.

Last month, the Prime Minister said the Government was doing "everything we possibly can" in behind–the–scenes negotiations to help the five Britons.