A Staines dad-of-two has been kept in solitary confinement in Qatar for the past month after being accused of spying.

Ian Heywood, a former British Airways executive, is fighting to return to Britain after being held for nearly a month in the Middle East on suspicion of industrial espionage.

Mr Heywood, 47, who worked for Qatar Airways but was headhunted by BMI, was seized by police at Doha airport in the Gulf state on May 1.

He was released on bail on May 25 after being held at an unknown location.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the investigation was continuing but it is believed he will be charged. The office did not know yet what the charges would be.

A spokesman for BMI confirmed Mr Heywood was recently appointed as commercial director and added: “He had not yet taken up his new post but we expect him to be joining us soon. I am unable to comment on his current situation.”

The Evening Standard reported that Mr Heywood’s wife Gill, 51, daughter Charlotte, 16, and 11-year-old son Harry, who were not told of his whereabouts for three weeks, flew out from London to Doha on Saturday hoping to bring him home.

It was reported that as she left the family home, a tearful Mrs Heywood said they had all endured a “nightmare” since her husband was arrested.

“I just want him back,” she said. “This has been so distressing for the whole family.

“My little one has kept it so much to himself but last night he said, ‘I just want my dad back’.”