"The misleading narrative created by these employees needs to be corrected and this lawsuit seeks to hold them accountable for the damage they caused to Sallyport's reputation. Sallyport is a dedicated partner in the fight against terror and operates with transparency, integrity and accountability."

While Sallyport strongly disputed the claims when the article was published, the company undertook a thorough investigation of the accusations and confirmed that claims made by the former employees were inaccurate and misleading. In the wake of this review, Sallyport determined it was necessary to set the record straight about its operations in Balad. The lawsuit provides a detailed and truthful account of the events falsely described by the former employees.

According to the lawsuit, shortly after employees Robert Cole and Kristie King were terminated for inadequate  performance, they made a number of false allegations about Sallyport, including that the company was involved in a sex trafficking ring and had concealed information about security breaches from the U.S. government.

The complaint shows that internal reports by King and Cole contradicted the claims they made in the news article. For example, regarding King and Cole's accusations of prostitution and trafficking at Balad, the lawsuit notes that these employees wrote a report prior to their firing stating that the prostitution allegations were "unfounded" and "rumors."

Another example of the false statements made by one of the employees is the accusation that Sallyport tried to cover up the theft of three large generators at the base. Verbal and written reports made to government representatives about the incident immediately after it occurred clearly establish that it was "openly investigated and reported to the Government." Futhermore, the equipment at issue was stolen from an area of the base that Sallyport did not control and was not assigned to protect.

The lawsuit seeks damages against Cole and King for defamation and breach of contract.

Sallyport is a critical component of U.S. efforts in the war on terror and the fight against ISIS. The company currently has a contract to provide comprehensive life and logistics support, security, construction, and base operation support services at the largest Iraqi Air Base, supporting more than 4,000 resident contractors involved in the Iraqi Air Force F-16 Program.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: "It is quite outrageous that he has been held in the country for so long already.

"This is another example of how vulnerable tourists are to arrest and detention in Dubai and at how drawn-out and disorganised legal proceedings are."

The organisation claims it was only after Mr Harron and his friend sat at a table that the man who had been touched seemed aggravated.

Police arrived at the scene "20 to 30" minutes later and arrested Mr Harron, according to his representatives.

The charges he faces in connection with the incident are said to be twofold - drinking alcohol and public indecency.

Mr Harron was reportedly locked up for five days in Al Barsha prison, before being released on bail and having his passport confiscated.

Ms Stirling added that following a conversation with Mr Harron, it was clear that he was under "immense pressure and stress".

She said: "He was expecting to appear in court this Sunday, but the court moved the date without telling him or his lawyer.

"This led to a sentence of 30 days' imprisonment for failing to present himself at the hearing."

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We have been in contact with a British man following his arrest in Dubai in July. We are providing consular assistance."