UK arms exports not ruled unlawful

INTERNATIONAL human rights groups reacted with dismay and called on Parliament to intervene after the High Court rejected claims that the Government is acting unlawfully by failing to suspend the sale of UK arms to Saudi Arabia.

The case was brought by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which says UK fighter jets and bombs sent to the Gulf state have been used in the conflict in Yemen to kill civilians.

Two High Court judges ruled the refusal of the Secretary of State for International Trade to stop the arms selling was not irrational or unlawful.

Amnesty International described the ruling as “a deadly blow to Yemeni civilians”, while Save the Children said the evidence against the arms traders was “overwhelming”.

James Lynch, Amnesty’s head of arms control and human rights, said: “This is a deeply disappointing outcome which gives a green light to the UK authorities - and potentially Saudi Arabia’s other arms suppliers - to continue authorising arms transfers to the kingdom despite the clear risk they will be used to commit violations.

“The verdict is a deadly blow for Yemenis under attack from a Saudi Arabialed coalition bolstered by UK-manufactured weapons.”

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said yesterday’s court ruling was “hugely disappointing” and called on Parliament “to hold the Government to account”.

Mr Goldring said: “The court has not said that British arms have not killed civilians, but has given the Government discretion to continue to sell arms.”