Campaigner Don’t whitewash Yemen war crimes
A powerful Westminster committee have been urged not to bow to Saudi Arabia and “whitewash” alleged war crimes in Yemen in a report out this week.
The committees on arms export controls (CAEC) have been investigating the use of UK-made bombs in Yemen’s war.
MPs began the inquiry after allegations of war crimes against a Saudi Arabian coalition dropping bombs made in Fife.
A leaked draft of CAEC’s report revealed MPs would call for a suspension of UK arms sales to the Saudis.
But Tory MP Crispin Blunt and Labour MP John Spellar, members of CAEC, tabled 130 amendments to change the report.
They demanded that the call for a suspension of UK arms sales to the Saudis was removed.
Blunt also said the House of Commons should hire private investigators to find out who leaked the report.
The split between MPs came as Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir visited London to lobby MPs.
Jubeir denied claims by human rights groups that Saudi warplanes had targeted civilians.
The Sunday Mail revealed links between arms firms in Scotland and alleged war crimes in Yemen.
Andrew Smith, of Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: “MPs must resist all attempts by Saudi Arabia and commercial interests to whitewash crimes against the people of Yemen.”