'Anger' over mining trial delay

Charlie Northfield was arrested in The Gambia in February

The brother of a British engineer due to stand trial in The Gambia has said he is finding the slow pace of legal proceedings "extremely frustrating".

Charlie Northfield, from Plymouth, Devon, has been unable to leave the African country since February.

He and his employer Carnegie Minerals are accused of illegally mining titanium, iron ore and uranium.

The 48-year-old has been freed from prison but has had his passport confiscated by Gambian officials.

The family is concerned and worried about his welfare Phil Northfield, brother

His brother Phil said: "He's frustrated that he can't get out of the country and he's angry that he was arrested for doing nothing wrong. He is a pawn.

"It's extremely frustrating not really knowing what's happening. The family is concerned and worried about his welfare."

Mr Northfield has spent most of his working life abroad and has a wife and three children living in Thailand.

He is on bail awaiting a firm trial date for later this month, but his brother claimed that prosecution lawyers have still not submitted any evidence against him.

The Foreign Office said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance. His cause has also been taken up by the campaigning organisation Fair Trials International.

Carnegie Minerals has been operating in The Gambia since 1999, digging mineral sands which are then sent to China for use in construction.

It "strongly refutes" all charges brought by the Gambian government.