A retired Bradford businessman today accused the FBI of a "massive blunder" as it admitted snaring the wrong man by detaining British holidaymaker Derek Bond.

Pierre Richterich, 68, of Guiseley, pictured, has been friends with Mr Bond for 30 years and dined with him in Cape Town, South Africa, days before he was locked up.

Ever since, he - alongside other friends and family, including Mr Bond's daughter Gillian - has been lobbying the authorities for his release.

The FBI had ordered Mr Bond's detention on suspicion of multi-million-dollar fraud.

But today they admitted he was not the man they were looking for. Reacting to the news, Mr Richterich said: "It's an enormous relief. But everyone is now waiting for him to walk out. We want to see him outside that police station. He has been kept in wretched conditions."

The 72-year-old was arrested on an FBI warrant in South Africa two weeks ago while on a wine-tasting trip with his wife Audrey. Mr Bond's details have appeared on the Interpol and FBI websites with a message stating he "could be dangerous".

But his family insisted it was a case of mistaken identity.

Mr Richterich, who met Mr Bond 30 years ago when both served on the national executive of the Round Table, said his friend's passport was stolen two years ago and criminals had used his identity for fraud in America.

"I had a meal with Derek in Cape Town after he was first arrested and then released. He was very surprised and, having only just flown into South Africa, quite put out by it," he said. "But he was philosophical about the situation and thought he could sort it out when he got home."

The pair, who were both on holiday, met again for a meal days later and then went their separate ways shortly before Mr Bond was arrested again and taken to Durban police station.

Since his return to Guiseley Mr Richterich has held talks with the Foreign Office, Mr Bond's MP and South African officials.

The retired businessman owned and ran Mohair Topmakers and Exporters in Canal Road and met Mr Bond, then based in Sheffield, through the Round Table. The network of Rotary Clubs has also been mobilised to get Mr Bond assistance in the time he has been imprisoned.

Mr Richterich said: "He is a delightful, courteous and gentle man. He is a Christian guy, but I can't believe he will walk away from this without seeking some sort of compensation. "

Mr Bond is expected to be released today after a man thought to be the real suspect was arrested in Las Vegas, according to John Lewis of the US Attorney's Office. "We got the wrong man," Mr Lewis said. "Mr Bond is owed an apology."