Interpol subsequently launched an investigation into all those connected with the boat, including Packwood and the other three members of the crew. They were found not to be implicated in any criminal action.

Despite this, Packwood was arrested during a visit to Spain on October 15 this year following the issuing of an International Arrest Warrant by the Moroccan authorities.

Peter Skinner, Labour MEP for the South East region, is leading the cross-party campaign, in conjunction with Fair Trials Abroad (a non-governmental organisation that helps EU citizens facing legal action in other countries), to secure Packwood's release.

"This would appear to be a blatant abuse of the International Arrest Warrant system by the Moroccan authorities, " Skinner claimed. "Through the facts themselves, it is quite clear that neither Mr Packwood nor the other personnel involved with the delivery could possibly be involved in this smuggling operation."

If yacht delivery crews are to be sought out and imprisoned in connection with events some 10 weeks after their deliveries, without strong evidence of their involvement, then no crew is safe, he added.

"This has serious commercial implications, with the huge export market for such vessels being dependant on crews like these, " he said.