Diplomacy: UK ‘concerned’ about disappearance

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox is pulling out of an international investment conference in Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A government spokesman said Dr Fox had decided the “time is not right” for him to attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh later this month.

“The UK remains very concerned about Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance,” spokesman said.

Turkish government sources have claimed that Khashoggi – a critic of the government in Riyadh – was murdered during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

The UK Government spokesman said: “We encourage TurkishSaudi collaboration and look forward to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducting a thorough, credible, transparent and prompt investigation, as announced.

“Those bearing responsibility for his the disappearance must held to account.”

Dr Fox’s withdrawal came as French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra announced they were pulling out of the event dubbed “Davos in the desert”.

Mr Le Maire said the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi was a “serious” matter and the facts about it need to be explained by Saudi authorities.

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said that a Dutch trade mission to Saudi Arabia planned for be December was also now unlikely to go ahead.

A number of top business executives have already cancelled their plans to attend the conference.

Allan Hogarth of Amnesty International UK said the government should reappraise its relationship with the Saudis in the light of their “appalling” human rights record.

He said: “Liam Fox’s cancellation appears to be a recognition of the fact that cheerleading for business in Saudi Arabia when the country is accused of murdering a journalist is simply beyond the pale.”