The Government has decided to argue against an alleged torture victim's fight for £2.5 million damages from Saudi Arabia.

Ron Jones, a tax adviser from Crawley, says he was blindfolded, shackled, beaten and forced to confess to a bombing in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

He is appealing against a decision by the High Court last year to reject his case on grounds the Saudi authorities had state immunity in UK courts.

Mr Jones has written to Tony Blair to ask for his support but the Government has now agreed with lawyers for Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry.

Mr Jones' case is due to be heard at the Court of Appeal on May 11 and 12.

His legal team will argue the 1978 Act is incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998.

However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Constitutional Affairs have said there is no conflict between the two acts.

Mr Jones said: "The Government has two choices - to let the appeal go through or to oppose it.

"I feel let down. The FCO web site's human rights section states, 'Torture is abhorrent and illegal'.

"By taking this course of action the British Government will be assisting the Saudi government in its argument that acts of torture perpetrated by a state are legal under English law."

Mr Jones had earlier filed two writs against the Saudi Interior Ministry and his alleged torturer, Lieutenant-Colonel Abdul Aziz.

The 50-year-old had been working as a tax adviser to a Saudi petroleum firm when he was injured in a bombing in March 2001 and woke to find himself accused of the crime.

He spent 67 days in prison before being suddenly released and sent back to Britain. The Saudi government has disputed the allegations of torture.

But father-of-one Mr Jones has added two more barristers to his legal team and has no intention of giving up the fight.

He said: "This won't stop me. I think it's brilliant we've even got to the appeal court.

"If the Government wants to take this stand, that's up to it but I think it's being hypocritical."

Mr Jones still suffers pain in his hands and legs and has been unable to return to work.

A spokesman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: "The Government has joined in as a party.

"It doesn't mean we're supporting the Saudi government or even that we'll take an active part.

"The Government believes there is no conflict between the State Immunity Act and the Human Rights Act and therefore believes it is important to register its views.

"It does not believe another state should be sued within our courts."