The family of UK recruiter Hugh Andrée has been thrust into the spotlight in light of fears that Andrée’s 74-year-old father may face flogging in Saudi Arabia.

Hugh Andrée, chief executive of military veteran recruiter ForceSelect, appeared on national TV this morning with brother Simon to discuss the plight of his father Karl, who has been imprisoned in Jeddah’s Briman Prison for the past year.

Andrée senior, who is reportedly in poor health, was jailed last year and sentenced to 379 lashes for a breach of the kingdom’s strict ban on alcohol. News reports said the oil executive has lived in Saudi Arabia for 25 years.

“As a nation, we are the first to assist others in oppressive regimes but we also have a duty of care to our own citizens,” Hugh Andrée said on ITV’s This Morning show today. 

“The prime minister and the Foreign Office, I’m sure they are doing all they can but there are no guarantees.”

He went on to thank everyone who had signed a petition to support his father’s release.

More than 130,000 people had signed an online petition by press deadline today calling on prime minister David Cameron to take up the issue with Saudi Arabian leaders. 

Saudi officials have reportedly told the Foreign Office that Karl Andrée would not be lashed but they have also said that his release from prison, overdue by two months, has been held up by red tape.

ForceSelect won Best Newcomer Agency at the 2011 Recruiter Awards and was also shortlisted in the Best Candidate Care category at the 2014 Recruiter Awards.

To sign the online petition, click here.

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