Hunt pushes Saudis on journalist

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has challenged Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to journalist Jamal Khashoggi following his disappearance earlier this month.

The UK, France and Germany have demanded a “complete and detailed response” from Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of the Washington Post columnist.

Reports claim the writer was killed while visiting the Sau- di consulate in Istanbul, with Turkish authorities reported to have obtained audio and video recordings of the alleged murder.

Speaking from his official country residence in Kent, Mr Hunt said: “None of us know what happened but we are all extremely concerned about the stories that have emerged and the country that can help us get to the bottom of this is Saudi Arabia. So what happens from now on is absolutely up to Saudi Arabia.

“What they need to do is cooperate fully with the investigations that the Turks are asking us to do and to get to the bottom of this.

“If, as they say, this terrible murder didn’t happen then where is Jamal Khashoggi? That is what the world wants to know.

“If they have got nothing to hide then they will, and should, co-operate.”

Mr Hunt and his French and German counterparts have issued a joint statement saying they had “grave concerns” about the situation and called for a credible investigation into what happened.