AN East Lancashire publican and friend of Mohammed Al Fayed today spoke of his grief at the tragedy.

Derek Howells, who runs the Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge, Colne, was a fierce campaigner in trying to persuade the British government to grant the Egyptian born tycoon British citizenship. The two have remained friends ever since, with Mr Al Fayed allowing the pub to be the only one in Britain to sell the famous Harrods 1849 Lager.

Mr Howells said: "I will be writing to Mr Al Fayed's family to express my family's deepest sympathy.

"This is a tragedy that has rocked the world. I never knew Dodi but it was like a fairytale seeing him linked with the Princess.

"His father never mentioned the relationship to me because it was obviously something deeply private.

"It would have been nice for Dodi to have seen his father granted British citizenship in his lifetime but that has been denied him.

"My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this terrible tragedy, including the families of the driver and security guard."

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