...but Saudi talks avoid Khashoggi
THe Prime Minister failed to raise the case of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yesterday.
Instead, Rishi Sunak used the meeting at the G20 summit to plead with the ruler to help bring down energy prices by stepping up oil production in response to Russia restricting supplies.
Downing Street said that Mr Sunak raised the importance of progress on social reform – in particular women’s rights – in the conservative Arab state, but did not mention the 2018 assassination of Mr Khashoggi at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.
The CIA concluded that bin Salman ordered the killing, and the UN Commissioner for Human Rights held the state of Saudi Arabia responsible for the ‘premeditated extraju
dicial execution’ of Mr Khashoggi, who was a critic of its monarchy.
However, the Crown Prince – known as MBS – denies prior knowledge of the plot, and eight unnamed people have been jailed in Saudi Arabia in relation to the murder.
A Downing Street spokesman said the pair ‘discussed the importance of continued UK-Saudi cooperation in the face of regional security threats and international economic instability.’ They added: ‘In light of the global increase in energy prices sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Prime Minister said he hoped the UK and Saudi Arabia could continue to work together to stabilise energy markets.
‘ The PM welcomed the strong trade relations and defence and security collaboration between our two countries, and the leaders committed to look for opportunities to deepen investment ties in strategic industries.’