Many have lost credibility in Khashoggi’s death Definition involves the notions of trust and belief, writes Dennis Fitzgerald.

The definition of credibility involves the notions of trust and belief, although this seems to have been stretched well past breaking point with the case of the dead journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

President Donald Trump has accepted the Saudi Arabian reports about the death, and its manner, as being “credible” and called it an “important first step”.

Given that the first reports, about two weeks ago, suggested that he had left the embassy safely, their credibility must be questioned.

Their statement of a fist fight two weeks ago which should have been immediately reported to all appropriate people, organisations and countries but this did not happen. That should have been the “important first step”.

The lesson here is that credibility is easily lost and hard to regain. Those vouching for the credibility of others must in themselves be credible and there are many failing that in this event.

Rest in peace, Jamal Khashoggi.