A man has been arrested in Bahrain over the death of a former regional newspaper editor in a road accident, it was reported today.

Former Belfast News Letter editor Austin Hunter, 64, was knocked down and killed on Saturday during a business trip to the Arab state.

The Belfast Telegraph is now reporting that police investigating the incident have now made an arrest.

The newspaper quoted a source as saying a man had been detained in connection with the accident.

Austin, pictured, edited the News Letter between 2004 and 2006 and also held a number of other senior journalistic roles in Northern Ireland, including reporting on the Troubles for the BBC.

He also worked in public relations for the BBC, the police, and the Orange Order.

Austin had been in Bahrain working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas.

The current News Letter editor Alistair Bushe has described him as a “hugely respected and well liked figure” in Northern Irish media.