Dubai Police have not given up hope of finding missing British sailor

Police say they are doing everything in their power to find the British sailor Tommy MacColl, who went missing six months ago while on shore leave in Dubai – but they have ruled out questioning people in other countries.

DUBAI // Police say they are doing everything in their power to find the British sailor Timmy MacColl, who went missing six months ago while on shore leave in Dubai – but they have ruled out questioning people in other countries.

Brigadier Khalil Al Mansouri, director of Dubai police CID, said: "We are continuously searching, but unfortunately our investigations have so far yielded no results.

"We have surveyed the city over and over again, but there is no sign of him. It is not even clear if he has left Dubai or not," he said.

Responding to an open invitation by Britain's Royal Navy to Dubai police to question the shipmates of the missing sailor, Brig Al Mansouri said his officers were working with UK authorities but "it is not our job to question people abroad".

The invitation by the Royal Navy was made in a joint press conference with Mr MacColl's family on Wednesday that was reported by the BBC.

"Primacy is with the Dubai police and the offer for the witnesses to be interviewed by video-link remains open," Cmdr Jonathan Hodgkins told the conference.

Cmdr Hodgkins said there was "regular and frequent" liaison between UK and UAE authorities.

Dubai police have a dedicated team which is close contact with the British Embassy in the UAE.

Mr MacColl disappeared in May while on shore leave in Dubai while his ship HMS Westminster was docked at Port Rashid.

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