UK recruiter Hugh Andrée, whose father was jailed last year and sentenced to flogging in Saudi Arabia but has since been released, has thanked the recruitment industry for its support.

Andrée senior had been imprisoned in Jeddah’s Briman Prison for the past year for a breach of the kingdom’s strict ban on alcohol. His family launched a campaign for his release, involving television appeals and an online petition calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to take up the issue with Saudi Arabian leaders. 

Following the prime minister raising the case with Saudi officials, foreign secretary Philip Hammond announced yesterday at a press conference Andrée would be released within a week.

Hugh Andrée, chief executive of military veteran recruiter ForceSelect, told Recruiter his father had been released this morning and added a note of thanks for the recruitment industry.

“I’ve had messages from people I know personally in the industry. Everyone has been hugely supportive – it’s very humbling.

“I want to say a huge thank you from myself and my family for all of the support that has been shown and given,” he added.

More than 255,729 people had signed the online petition by press deadline today.