A 32-year-old Saudi man was discovered dead in his room having suffered severe head injuries at the £520-a-night Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, central London. Police sources confirmed that a man in his 30s arrested over the death is a Saudi prince. It is understood that the two men, who have not been named, were associates and that the victim may worked for the prince or been a business contact. It is believed that the prince was not at the scene when he was arrested in Westminster five hours after staff at the hotel had discovered the dead body. The royal family, known as the House of Saud, has over 6,000 members, with the most power and influence being wielded by the 200 of them closest to King Abdullah. Wealthy Saudis often visit London and Prince al-Waleed bin Tahal, the nephew of King Abdullah, bought the Savoy Hotel five years ago for an estimated £250 million. The Saudi Embassy and representatives in the Middle Eastern country were unavailable to comment last night. Scotland Yard murder squad detectives were called in to the eight-storey Marylebone hotel, a favourite with celebrities, after the victim's body was found in a third-floor room shortly before 5pm on Monday. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the man suffered head injuries. A post mortem was being carried out last night. The death is being treated as "suspicious" until a post mortem examination takes place. The hotel's general manager Francis Green said: "Unfortunately, the Landmark Hotel can confirm the death of a guest on Monday who was staying at the hotel. "Police were informed immediately and have launched an investigation surrounding this incident and we are co-operating fully with them and are therefore unable to comment further. "This is an isolated incident and our thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased." Rooms at the grade two listed Landmark hotel, built in 1899, cost from up to £520 a night and the largest suite is offered at £2,400-a-night. Its website says: “We invite you to experience our beautifully distinctive style and ambience combining classic British elegance and grandeur with deluxe facilities.” Recent guests include television presenter Myleene Klass. Liam Gallagher, the Oasis singer, held his wedding reception there after marrying Nicole Appleton. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called to reports of the body of a man found in a third-floor room at a hotel in Marylebone Road, at 4.50pm on Monday. "Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the address and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. "The death is being treated as suspicious and is being investigated by officers from the Met Police's Homicide and Serious Crime Command. "Officers believe they know the identity of the deceased, who is from Saudi Arabia, but await formal identification before releasing his name. Inquiries to trace his next of kin are under way. "It is believed the victim had suffered head injuries and officers await the results of a post mortem examination, which is taking place on Tuesday. "At 9.07pm, a man in his thirties was arrested in Westminster in connection with the death and was taken to a central London police station where he remains in custody."Saudi prince held over murder in five star London hotel room
A member of the Saudi Arabian royal family is being questioned over the suspected murder of a guest
at a five-star London hotel.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
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