British oil executive shot dead outside Brussels restaurant

Police are investigating the killing of a British oil executive who was gunned down in front of his wife in an assassination-style killing, the Daily Mail reports. Nicholas Mockford, 60, was shot as he left an Italian restaurant in Neder-over-Heembeek, in northern Brussels. The shooting happened on October 14, but the information has only just emerged after Belgian police imposed a news blackout. The ExxonMobil executive was shot three times – including once as he lay on the ground – after leaving Da Marcello restaurant in Rue de Beyseghem at about 22.00. His wife was beaten and left covered in blood, cradling her husband and shouting for help, according to reports. Mr Mockford died on the way to hospital. Witnesses said they saw the couple walk across the street to their silver Lexus car before shots were fired. According to reports, two men were seen running away carrying a motorcycle helmet after the attack. The Belgian prosecutor’s office said last night a “judicial instruction” had been ordered by the investigating judge, Martine Quintin, meaning “no explanation” or details about the killing could be released. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said last night: “We can confirm the death of a British national on October 14 in Brussels and we are providing consular assistance.” It is understood Mr Mockford was the head of marketing for interim technologies for ExxonMobil Chemicals, Europe, promoting new types of greener fuel. He had worked for the company since the 1970s and had been married to his second wife, who is Belgian, for 15 years.