Jeremy Hunt set to confront Saudi Arabian leaders over murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
2 min read
Jeremy Hunt is set to confront the Saudi leadership over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The Foreign Secretary will use a trip to the Kingdom to urge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to co-operate fully with a Turkish investigation into the “brutal” murder of Mr Khashoggi, who went missing after visiting the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.
Mr Khashoggi died during a visit to the embassy on 2 October, with the Kingdom admitting that he was killed inside the consulate after two weeks of denials.
Riyadh says the journalist was strangled to death after a fight, but Turkish investigators have claimed that he was dismembered by agents on the orders of the Saudi government.
On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Erdogan claimed that a recording of Mr Khashoggi's murder had been uncovered, and that copies had been passed to UK, US, French and Saudi officials.
Ahead of the visit, Mr Hunt said: “The international community remain united in horror and outrage at the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi one month ago.
“It is clearly unacceptable that the full circumstances behind his murder still remain unclear."
He added: “We encourage the Saudi authorities to co-operate fully with the Turkish investigation into his death, so that we deliver justice for his family and the watching world."
Mr Hunt will also use the visit - the first by a UK minister since the murder of Mr Khashoggi - to urge King Salman bin Abdulaziz to consider a ceasefire in the war in Yemen.
Describing the fallout from the conflict as a “man-man humanitarian catastrophe”, Mr Hunt said: “The human cost of war in Yemen is incalculable: with millions displaced, famine and disease rife and years of bloodshed, the only solution is now a political decision to set aside arms and pursue peace.
“Britain has a unique position, both as pen-holder at the UN Security Council and as a key influencer in the region, so today I am travelling to the Gulf to demand that all sides commit to this process.”
He added: “We are witnessing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe on our watch: now is the window to make a difference, and to get behind both the UN peace process and current UK efforts in the Security Council.”
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