George Clooney has called for a boycott of The Dorchester in London and other luxury hotels owned by Brunei after the tiny oil-rich nation announced new laws making homosexual acts and adultery punishable by death.

From April 3 in Brunei, a south-east Asian country with a population of about 430,000, anyone found guilty of homosexuality or cheating on spouse could be whipped or stoned.

The laws, as part of the country's interpretation of Sharia Law, also introduce amputation of the hands or feet as punishment for robbery.

Brunei, which gained independence from the UK in 1984, is headed by the Sultan of Brunei and through its investment agency, the Dorchester Collection, owns The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane as well as Coworth Park in Berkshire.

Two of Hollywood's best-known hotels, The Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills, are also under its control.