Branson suspends Saudi links over missing journalist
LONDON: British entrepreneur Richard Branson is suspending two directorships linked to tourism projects in Saudi Arabia following the unexplained disappearance in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In a statement on Thursday, Branson said also that his Virgin group would suspend discussions with Saudi Arabia over proposed investment in Virgin Galactic, which is set to carry out its first space flight within weeks.
“I had high hopes for the current government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leader Crown Prince Mohammed Salman, and it is why I was delighted to accept two directorships in the tourism projects around the Red Sea,” Branson said on the Virgin website.
But he added: “What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi government.
“We have asked for more information from the authorities in Saudi and to clarify their position in relation to Khashoggi.
“While those investigations are ongoing and Khashoggi’s whereabouts are not known, I will suspend my directorships of the two tourism projects.
“Virgin will also suspend its discussions with the Public Investment Fund over the proposed investment in our space companies Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit,” Branson added.
In comments on Tuesday, Branson said he expected his Virgin Galactic company to conduct its first space flight “within weeks, not months”.