British student Matthew Hedges has been sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates for spying.
Mr Hedges, 31, a Durham University PhD student, had been detained as he was leaving Dubai Airport on 5 May.
Authorities said his research in the country for his thesis on security policies after the Arab Spring was a "cover" for carrying out surveillance for the UK government.
There had been hopes that he would be granted freedom after he was released on bail at the end of last month.
The UAE's federal court of appeal had postponed hearing his case until Wednesday to re-examine its evidence, with Mr Hedges allowed out of jail without his passport until the hearing date.
Family spokeswoman Nikita Bernardi confirmed to the Press Association that Mr Hedges had been jailed for life.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "deeply shocked" by the sentence.
He said: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed by the verdict today. I have personally raised the case of Matthew Hedges at the highest levels of the UAE government, including during my visit to Abu Dhabi on 12 November. On that occasion, I spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed.
"However, today's verdict is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances.
"Our consular officials have been in close contact with Matthew Hedges and his family. We will continue to do everything possible to support him.
"I have repeatedly made clear that the handling of this case by the UAE authorities will have repercussions for the relationship between our two countries, which has to be built on trust. I regret the fact that we have reached this position and I urge the UAE to reconsider."
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There has been no official reaction from any of the UAE authorities as yet.
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