After images emerged showing a group of men standing yards behind as he Rezgui walked along the beach holding his rifle there were suggestions that locals should have done more to stop the attack that killed at least 30 Britons.

But witnesses have come out in defence of the Tunisians on the beach, saying that they acted together to prevent more deaths.

John Yeoman, who was on holiday with his wife at a neighbouring resort when the shooting began, tweeted: “Those in the background formed a human shield to protect another hotel they are not watching they saved many lives.”