A coroner has said British tourists should be warned about the dangers they face when travelling to Dubai after a man died from "neglect" in a notorious police station.
Businessman Lee Brown, 39, passed away in April 2011 after being locked up for five days at the Bur Dubai police station, an inquest heard.
He was left bruised and beaten, had inadequate food and water, was placed in solitary confinement and did not have access to necessary medical care.
The builder, painter and decorator, from Dagenham, east London, had been staying at the Burj Al Arab hotel during a stop-off visit on his way to see his girlfriend in Indonesia when he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a maid.
An inquest jury sitting at Walthamstow Coroner's Court earlier this month ruled that Mr Brown died from neglect.
Area Coroner for East London Nadia Persaud has written a report the Foreign Office raising "concerns" about the issues raised during the inquest.
In her report, published yesterday, she raised fears more Brits could die in Dubai because "insufficient" travel advice does not have enough information about being arrested there and the possible consequences.
The inquest heard the number of new cases of Britons reporting torture or mistreatment in Dubai to the Foreign Office had surged from three per cent of the global total to 13 per cent in just four years.
She also said future deaths could occur because the Foreign Office does not have an emergency access protocol that can reach detained Britons in similar situations.
In her ruling, she said: "The inquest heard evidence that there is no emergency access protocol to ensure that consular officers can reach detained British nationals in the event of a reported emergency.
"The inquest heard concerns in relation to the current Foreign Office travel advice.
"There was considered to be insufficient information relating to the possible consequences of detention in Dubai (and the possible circumstances of such detention).
"The inquest heard that the number of new cases of British Nationals reporting allegations of torture or mistreatment in Dubai to the FCDO has risen from three per cent of the global total in 2016 to 13 per cent of the global total in 2020.
"A concern was raised at the inquest in relation to the procedures in place to gain consular access to detained British nationals who may be suffering from a mental health crisis.
"Such British nationals may not be able to provide the necessary consent for consular services.
"In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."
After the verdict, Mr Brown's mother, Doris, said: "For the past 11 years we have had to fight to find out how Lee died.
"I am incredibly relieved that the Inquest has finally uncovered the precise circumstances in which my son lost his life.
"My son was a good person who loved both me and his dad very much.
"He died in the most awful of circumstances being allowed to be beaten by other prisoners and, most shockingly, those who were supposed to look after him.
"He was not given proper food or appropriate care. I cannot imagine how awful his last moments must have been.
"It makes me incredibly sad and angry. I can't believe that he died at the hands of savage monsters when he had done nothing wrong.
"They made up lies about him and took my life too. He was my life."
The Foreign Office must reply to the report by January 9 next year.
A spokesperson at the UAE Embassy in the United Kingdom said: "In line with international standards, the UAE has stringent laws, regulations and procedures in place to ensure the physical and psychological wellbeing of detainees in its prisons. All inmates receive medical care as required. UAE state-level officials, the Public Prosecution, and diplomatic missions regularly visit correctional institutions to verify and maintain the high standards of living conditions and treatment.
"In the case of Mr Lee Brown the Jury’s verdict did not determine a cause of his death, nor any unlawful killing. To the extent the Jury speculated about factors for his death, the UAE completely rejects this speculation. The UAE notes also there were serious irregularities in the inquest process and treatment of evidence."
