A DAD has been locked up in Egypt after his family claim he simply patted an airport security worker on the back - to say thank you.

Businessman Tony Camoccio, 51, was arrested by police in Egypt on Saturday at Hurghada International Airport following a holiday with family and friends.

Tony, from Sutton, London, had been in the country for ten days in a party of 18 Brits but was detained and not allowed to fly home with the rest of the group, his friends said.

A friend claims he was unfairly detained after being wrongly accused of sexual harassment against a male customs officers.

Family friend Dave Brooker, 46, from Worthing, who was on the trip, said Tony was jailed when he touched a customs officer on the back as a way of saying thank you.

The incident happened after he was patted down during a security check. His wife Joan, 53, and son Remo, 26, have remained in Egypt and are appealing to the local authorities for his release.

The FCO has confirmed the arrest, which Dave said is a “complete misunderstanding”.

He said: “All he did was touch the guy on the back in a friendly manner as a way of saying thank you after being patted down.

“He didn’t mean anything by it and there really was nothing to it.

“It was just before we all got on the plane home and we just can’t believe how it has panned out.”

Mr Brooker’s daughter Elle, 17, who was also on the trip, added: “It was the final checkpoint and I was in a separate queue to Tony.

“He was patted down and to show his appreciation he patted the guy on the back.

“Then there was a rush and they shouted for the police.

“He was pulled to one side and arrested right there.”

Tony, who owns a window and conservatory installation business, has visited Egypt several times and according to family friends loves spending time there.

But just before boarding a flight home from Hurghada - due for departure at 5.30pm on Saturday - he was detained by police, they said.

College student Elle has described the moment she found out Tony had been arrested for something he has been “wrongly accused” of doing.

She said: “I had just sat down on the plane and Remo came on and told Joan and the rest of us what happened.

“I was in a state of shock and had no idea what they were arresting him for.

“I think it is absolutely ridiculous. This could ruin his life. He meant no harm at all.

“It is all just one big misunderstanding and he should be released as soon as possible. He did nothing wrong.”

Tony’s friends and family have launched a campaign for his release.

Elle and Dave have travelled to London to speak with the British Embassy on behalf of Tony’s family, who are still in Egypt.

Dave added: “I met Tony in Egypt seven years ago but I’ll never go back there again after this. It’s ruined it all for us.

“Tony is just an every day nice bloke and has never ever been involved in anything like that before.

“I honestly cannot believe this. I don’t want to take a chance by going to Egypt again after all of this.”

In a joint statement, the British Embassy and FCO said: “We are in contact with a British man who has been arrested in Egypt. Our staff are in touch with his family and the Egyptian authorities.”

To see the petition about Tony’s detention visit www.change.org and search ‘Tony Camoccio’.