Former Premier David Saul last night gave his backing to arrested oil tycoon John Deuss, who is due to appear in court today, for the second time this week.

Dr. Saul described the 64-year-old Dutch businessman ? wanted for questioning in his homeland about suspected money laundering ? as ?a very, very good citizen for Bermuda? who had donated generously to charity, helped cash-strapped youngsters study abroad and been a key player in the Island?s business community.

?I don?t think that there will be anything coming out of this,? he said, of the allegations against Mr. Deuss from prosecutors in the Netherlands, which also include handling stolen property and being in charge of a criminal organisation.

?I hope in the end nothing comes of it for Bermuda?s sake and his. I feel for him. I certainly hope that this all just goes away,? said Dr. Saul.

Dr. Saul, 66, is the second former United Bermuda Party leader of the country to publicly support the reclusive Mr. Deuss (pictured).

On Monday, ex-Premier Sir John Swan offered to stand surety of $5 million in order for the former chairman of Bermuda Commercial Bank (BCB) to be released on bail.

Businessman Ward Young agreed to the same amount and Mr. Deuss put up $10 million bail himself.

Dr. Saul said that numerous charities had benefited from Mr. Deuss? generosity, as had students unable to afford to go to university.

?I have heard of a child not being able to go to university and he underwrote the whole thing,? said Dr. Saul. ?He certainly helped students I know personally.?

He also praised Mr. Deuss? role in securing the Bermudiana Hotel site for two of the Island?s largest insurers, XL Capital Ltd. and Ace Ltd., to build offices in the 1990s.

?It probably wouldn?t have happened without him being the driving force,? he said.

Dr. Saul added: ?I have known him since he was here, but not closely. I just respected him for his brain and his acumen and generosity.?

Mr. Deuss? Caribbean-based business First Cura?ao International Bank has had its assets frozen as part of a multi-nation investigation into a tax scam known as carousel fraud.

Authorities in Europe suspect it has been used by traders to stash hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal tax gains.

Mr. Deuss, who resigned from the board of BCB earlier this month, is due to appear in Magistrates? Court this morning when his lawyers have said he will volunteer to accompany Dutch Police to the Netherlands.

He could fly off the Island with detectives later today if the court agrees to fast-track the extradition process.