International human rights groups and British MPs expressed...

International human rights groups and British MPs expressed outrage after two Britons accused of masterminding a bombing campaign in Saudi Arabia were secretly given lengthy jail sentences.
Britain now faces growing condemnation of its 'softly, softly' diplomatic approach to the affair, which has sought to play down allegations that the men were tortured into confessing to the crimes.
James Lee and James Cottle were jailed for 18 years. They are among seven Westerners, five of them British, who have been charged with a series of attacks on Western targets in 2000. Unconfirmed reports say another Briton, Sandy Mitchell, has received a death sentence. Their lawyers said the legal process was continuing.
Since their arrest the men have been tortured, forced to make televised confessions and kept for long periods in solitary confinement. They were also initially denied access to lawyers and diplomatic representatives. Foreign Office officials have issued few statements on the matter and concentrated on behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Appeals have been made at the highest level, with Tony Blair sending two Foreign Office envoys - Minister Liz Symons and official John Sawers - to Riyadh to negotiate for their release. However, in a major snub to Britain's diplomatic efforts, Saudi judges handed down the jail sentences in 2001, but only told the Foreign Office in April 2002.
The Government is accused of sacrificing the men's interests to maintain good relations with a key Western ally. The relationship with Saudi Arabia has become crucial in the build-up to an attack on Iraq, with the Americans attempting to secure the use of Saudi bases. 'Britain could bring a lot more pressure to bear on Saudi Arabia,' said Amnesty International spokesman Michael Siva. 'It appears these men are being conveniently ignored.'