THE death of a Bolton minicab driver in the crane collapse in Mecca was raised with a Saudi delegation by an MEP.

Qasim Akram, 33, of Bertrand Road, Bolton, was killed in the construction tragedy at the Grand Mosque on September 11 while on a hajj pilgrimage with his parents.

Politicians from Saudi Arabia were in Brussels, Belgium, for a high-level visit and Sajjad Karim, Conservative MEP for the North West, met them to ask questions about the death of his constituent.

Mr Karim said: "The case of Qasim Akram is a tragedy that no words or actions can undo, but I am pleased by the Deputy Speaker's assurances that my constituent's family will be receiving a personal message from the Saudi Arabians.

"I will be contacting the European External Action Service - headed by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini - in order to establish what can be done to ensure the safety of European citizens who perform the Hajj in the future."

Mr Karim said Mohammed bin Amin Al-Jefri, the deputy speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Assembly, gave his assurances Mr Akram's family would be offered condolences in a personal phone call that would provide the relatives with the opportunity to discuss the situation with the relevant authorities.

The Tory MEP said Mr Al-Jefri gave his word the case would be properly pursued in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Government has pledged to pay the families of each of the 107 victims killed in the crane accident the equivalent of around £175,000 in compensation.

There will not be an inquest in Britain because Mr Akram was quickly buried in Mecca as Islamic custom dictates.