British 'cross-dresser' held in Dubai

Dubai is the Gulf's commercial capital

A British man has been charged with violating public morals in Dubai after disguising himself as an Arab woman.

Philip Hogg, 55, was carrying a fake pistol when he was arrested in a market on Sunday dressed in a black robe and veil normally worn by Arab women.

Police stopped the veiled figure in the Gulf state's popular gold market after they spotted men's undergarments poking out from under the robe, according to a local newspaper.

They discovered the fake pistol but no charges have been brought in relation to the weapon.

When questioned, Mr Hogg allegedly claimed the veil and traditional Islamic women's clothing had been worn as a "surprise" for his wife, said the Gulf News daily.

Cross-dressing forbidden

Men are not allowed to dress in women's clothing in Dubai, one of seven emirates that makes up the United Arab Emirates.

Brigadier Ismaeel Al Gargawi, of Dubai police, said the man had claimed he did not know he was not allowed to dress in women's clothing.

Mr Hogg, who is a visitor to Dubai, has chosen to remain in custody until Sunday when he is due to appear in court charged with violating public morals, according to the BBC's Gulf correspondent Julia Wheeler.