UK government facing two sets of legal action after Saudi defence deal trial

Whistleblower Ian Foxley alleges MoD had role in him losing his job while acquitted businessman John Mason seeks payment of legal costs

• ‘Deniable fiddle’: the MoD, Saudi Arabia and a scandal half a century in the making

The government is facing legal action on two fronts after a court case that heard allegations that Britain facilitated the payment of bribes to high-ranking Saudis for decades.

Ian Foxley, a whistleblower who uncovered evidence of corruption in a long-running defence deal, is taking legal action against a government department, alleging that it blocked his attempts to uncover the truth. He said he had to flee from Saudi Arabia after being threatened with imprisonment.