Saudi Prince gets royal welcome as May clashes with Corbyn over arms
In a massive boost for Britain, Mrs May and the Crown Prince agreed a landmark ambition for around £65billion of mutual trade and investment opportunities over the coming years.
This includes direct investment in the UK and new Saudi public procurement with UK firms – a clear demonstration of the strong international confidence in our economy.
Opportunities will be spread across a range of sectors including education, training and skills, financial and investment services, culture and entertainment, health care and life sciences, technology and renewable energy, and the defence industry.
The Prime Minister said the UK was a firm supporter of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious blueprint for internal reform that aims to create a thriving economy and a vibrant society.
Britain’s alliance with Saudi in the war on terror is said to have saved hundreds of lives here – yet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed it should not go ahead.
In angry exchanges during Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons yesterday, he accused the Saudis of war crimes and tried to lecture Mrs May on their treatment of women.
He noted that today is International Women’s Day, adding that it is a chance to reflect on equality.
Mrs May replied witheringly: “I thank the Right Honourable Gentleman for telling me it is International Women’s Day tomorrow. I think that’s what’s called mansplaining.”
Mr Corbyn, who has previously supported regimes with poor human rights records, said: “Germany has suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia but British arms sales have sharply increased and British military advisers are directing war. It cannot be right that her government is colluding in what the United Nations says is evidence of war crimes.”
Mrs May said everyone was concerned about the crisis in Yemen but that Britain’s engagement with the Saudis had been “vindicated” by the withdrawal of blockades there.
Mr Corbyn also faced a call to apologise from Tory MP David TC Davies for suggesting British military personnel were directing attacks in Yemen, which was “completely incorrect”.