Kushner chat Crown Prince urged to be transparent

Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, yesterday revealed he had urged Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be “transparent” about the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as international pressure for answers grew.

Mr Kushner said he had warned him that the “world was watching” and that Mr Khashoggi’s disappearance was “serious”.

The comments came during a rare public interview with Mr Kushner as world leaders continued to demand more clarity from Saudi leaders over the case.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, floated the possibility of cancelling a multibilliondollar defence contract with Saudi Arabia, while other overseas politicians called for a “credible” explanation.

Mr Kushner’s relationship with Prince Mohammed, known by his initials MBS, has been in the spotlight in recent weeks. The Trump administration’s decision to align itself with Saudi Arabia has also been called into question.

Mr Kushner, a White House adviser, has cultivated a close relationship with the crown prince and has reportedly stressed the importance of Saudi-us relations.

Mr Kushner was speaking to a CNN presenter about the suspected murder of Mr Khashoggi, who Saudi officials recently admitted had died in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, as a result of a fight.

Asked what he had told the crown prince, Mr Kushner said: “Just to be fully transparent. The world is watching. This is a very serious accusation and a very serious situation.”