The Foreign Office has refused to comment, but the Saudi lawyer representing the men said there had not been a final judgement yet, only a recommendation.

The public interest is that this type of confusion is cleared up

Michael Ancram Shadow foreign secretary

A bombing campaign two years ago killed Briton Christopher Rodway in the capital, Riyadh, and injured several others.

The Saudi authorities claim that the men are members of Riyadh's expatriate drinking scene and planted the bombs as part of a turf war with rival bootleggers.

Newspaper reports have suggested Scotsman Sandy Mitchell had been "secretly" sentenced to death while James Lee, James Cottle, Les Walker and Pete Brandon were sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The shadow foreign secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that justice was the victim, amid the confusion.

Ancram wants clarification

He said: "The public interest is that this type of confusion is cleared up.

"I've put down a number of questions and I'm seeking factual answers.

"I'm asking Jack Straw what he knows the sentences are and when he first learnt of the arrests of the Britons' involved in the bombing incidents.

"And the dates of representations made to the Saudi Government on their behalf."

Torture

On Monday, Mr Cottle's ex-wife Mary Martini told Today she received a phone call from the Foreign Office which said he had been sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Hours after that interview, the Saudi ambassador in London said the case was ongoing and no final judgement had been made.

His comments echoed those of the Saudi lawyer representing the men, Saleh al-Hujail, who said a final judgement had yet to be made, which would then be submitted to the office of his majesty.

The lawyer confirmed the men were seeking to retract televised confessions which they claim were made after being tortured.

Straw says he is serving the Britons' interests

Mr Straw has said he is "extremely concerned" about the situation and defended the government policy of quiet diplomacy.

"I've had to make some extremely difficult decisions about how to approach these decisions, which I may say have been made in the interests of the people concerned and their families."

Ron Jones, an accountant who claimed he was tortured in a Saudi prison last year, has expressed his concern for the welfare of the five Britons.

Mr Jones spent 67 days in a Saudi prison, accused of planting a bomb, before being released without charge.