By Rebecca Evans
Last updated at 6:06 PM on 17th April 2011


Allegedly beaten by prison guards: Lee Brown

Allegedly beaten by prison guards: Lee Brown

A British tourist allegedly beaten to death by prison guards in a Dubai jail was invited to the Arab state by a mystery woman, it was claimed last night.

Lee Bradley Brown, 39, was on holiday at a 1,000-a-night hotel when he was arrested for assault and swearing and thrown into a filthy cell.

His family have demanded government help and believe the nature of his death is being covered up by the authorities who claim he died of natural causes – even though witnesses saw him being 'badly beaten'.

The self-employed maintenance worker flew to the Gulf state without telling his family, who don't know how he was able to afford a luxury suite at the seven-star Burj Al Arab – one of the most expensive hotels in the world.

Yesterday a prison source said Mr Brown, of Dagenham, Essex, had told inmates he had been 'invited to Dubai' by an unknown woman.

It emerged last night that the British Government will not conduct an independent investigation into the death – meaning his family may never know the truth.

Instead of sending a pathologist to examine Mr Brown's body for signs of trauma, the Foreign Office said it would rely on the authorities in Dubai – even though they have claimed there were 'no signs of torture' and he died after choking on his own vomit.

A spokesman said: 'This is a matter for the Dubai local authorities.'

Lee Bradley Brown, pictured, was invited to Dubai by a mystery woman it has been claimed

Lee Bradley Brown, pictured, was invited to Dubai by a mystery woman it has been claimed

Mr Brown was arrested within hours of arriving at his hotel after allegedly trying to throw a chambermaid off a balcony.

He was detained at notorious Bur Dubai police station, where inmates claim to have watched in horror as he was beaten by up to six officers.

His brother Steven, 37, and mother Doris Shafi, 67, have enlisted the help of top human rights lawyer Louise Christian to get 'justice for Lee'.

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You need to aim your protest directly & publicly at Nick Clegg & David Cameron...the more public outcry the more they act.

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The British gov't can't get involved. Dubai owns much of the centre of London.

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Britains scared of falling out with Dubai!

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if you come from this country you dont stand a chance if anything happens to you in a foreign country but if a foreigner comes here and something happens to them they protest for there rights and then sue and get taxpayers money for free jean london

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What good would it do to have the goverment investigate? When you travel overseas, the government can not do much to protect you. play it smart, stick to western countries. The ridiculous thing is the holding of inquest when a death occurs overseas. It does nothing but spend thousands of pounds unnecessarily. Why should anyone care what the results of a inquest taking place 1,000 of miles away from the point the death occured?

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so our great country cannot be bothered to help one of it's own citizens,but quite happily spends hundreds of millions of pounds helping the lybians.but I suppose its part of the bigger picture,all in it together yada yada yada.we must be proud to know we are second rate citizens.

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