UK invites Saudi crown prince for visit – report
Mohammed bin Salman was accused of ordering the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rishi Sunak has invited Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman to the UK in the autumn, it has been reported.
It would be his first visit to Britain since the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi five years ago.
The Gulf state’s day-to-day leader was accused of ordering the assassination of the Washington Post writer at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, although he denied any involvement and blamed rogue agents.
We have been clear that this murder was a terrible crime and that Saudi Arabia must ensure such an atrocity can never happen again
Downing Street declined to comment on whether an invite has been extended, as reported by the Financial Times, citing a Government official.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s view of the journalist’s killing, his official spokesman told reporters on Friday: “From the start we have been clear that this murder was a terrible crime and that Saudi Arabia must ensure such an atrocity can never happen again.
“We’ve sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals involved in the murder under the global human rights scheme.”
A UK visit would be the latest sign of western countries welcoming the crown prince back into the diplomatic fold after he was frozen out following the murder.
Britain is aiming to strengthen its ties with the kingdom despite concerns over its human rights record as it seeks to attract investment from the oil-rich Gulf following Brexit.
The FT said details of the trip have not yet been finalised, quoting an official as saying: “It’s more up to them, given we need them more than they need us.”
Mr Sunak met the crown prince on the margins of the G20 summit in Bali last November.
The leaders discussed social reforms, women’s rights and civil liberties, but Mr Sunak did not raise the murder of Mr Khashoggi, No 10 said at the time.
US President Joe Biden raised the subject in his own talks over energy and security issues with the crown prince in July 2022, indicating that he thought the Saudi leader was responsible for the killing.
Polly Truscott, Amnesty International UK’s foreign policy adviser, said the crown prince “must be properly held to account for abuses by Saudi officials, including Khashoggi’s murder”.
She said: “There must be no question of the UK rolling out the red carpet for Mohammed bin Salman or of the Saudi ruler being able to use this visit to rehabilitate himself on the world stage.
“The visit looks set to coincide with the five-year anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s sickening assassination and dismemberment at the hands of Saudi agents in Turkey, a crime which has essentially been covered up by the unrepentant Saudi authorities.”