Politicians are putting on the pressure to free a Bradford businessman who is held in an African jail charged with a murder his friends say he could not have committed.

Devout Christian Jacques Lapergue, 60, who founded the Antique Glass Studio in Bierley, was arrested following his discovery of a dead body in a street in Chipata, Zambia.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Yorkshire & Humber MEP Richard Corbett have promised to offer any help they can.

Mr Sutcliffe, who is Mr Lapergue's MP, said: "We will be contacting the Foreign Office and asking what the situation is.

"We will be making sure they are working with the relevant people and we'll offer any support that we can."

Mr Corbett, who was informed of the businessman's plight by Mr Sutcliffe, said: "I will ask my French colleagues in the Socialist group if they can help in any way by contacting the French Embassy."

As Mr Lapergue is a French citizen it is up to the French government to ensure he is being treated correctly and to liaise with the African authorities.

He was being visited yesterday by a senior official from the French Embassy in Gambia and Malawi.

Mick Swales, a researcher for Mr Sutcliffe, said: "It seems like Mr Lapergue has been very unlucky. It seems like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"As Mr Lapergue has been living in Britain for 30 years, Mr Sutcliffe will get in touch with the French Embassy in London and with the British Embassy in Zambia.

"Although the real power lies with the French government, there may be informal links between the embassies over there.

"It's worth pursuing every avenue we can to try to help this man."

Phil Wilson, a co-director of the Antiques Studio, welcomed the action of the politicians.

He said: "Mr Sutcliffe's office told me they would put pressure on the powers-that-be to make sure everything is being done to help Jacques.

"He's been paying tax in this country for 30 years so I'm glad that our MP has recognised that and is willing to help, even though it is not a UK matter.

"I felt very reassured by it."

Sandar Chanemougam, consul at the French Embassy to Zambia and Malawi, was yesterday making a six-hour journey from Zambian capital Lusaka to visit Mr Lapergue in Chipata.

Mr Wilson said: "He was making a day-long trip to see Jacques and hopefully we'll hear something.

"We're really pleased about all the help we're getting - I just hope it brings him back."

e-mail: tanya.orourke @telegraphandargus.co.uk