PM: Writer’s killing must be condemned
‘WE MUST GET TO THE TRUTH’
THERESA May has condemned the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and demanded answers about his death.
Mrs May told MPs: “I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the strongest possible terms. We must get to the truth of what happened.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks in the Commons followed former foreign secretary Boris Johnson urging a robust response to Saudi Arabia over Mr Khashoggi’s death.
Britain should “refuse to turn a blind eye” to the murder of the dissident journalist and pressure Saudi Arabia into ending the brutal civil war in Yemen, Mr Johnson said in his Daily Telegraph column. The former foreign secretary drew parallels between the Istanbul killing and the Novichok attack in Salisbury in March, calling them “state-sponsored plots” designed to “send a terrifying public warning” to opponents.
The Gulf kingdom admitted on Friday that Washington Post columnist Mr Khashoggi, a vocal critic of Riyadh, was killed at its Istanbul consulate but claimed he died after a fight broke out.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says he is not satisfied with the explanations he has heard about the death of Mr Khashoggi.
President Trump said he has spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since Mr Khashoggi’s death.