Sir Keir Starmer has stated UK financial development was his “number one mission” as he defended his journey to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The prime minister accused predecessor Boris Johnson of “going cap in hand from dictator to dictator” when the previous PM met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2022.
However after having a gathering with the crown prince on Monday, Sir Keir stated he wished to drive up dwelling requirements throughout the UK and folks to really feel higher off.
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The PM had talks with the crown prince in Riyadh. Pic: PA
“For that to happen”, he stated, “we have to win contracts and investment around the world, and UAE and Saudi Arabia are key partners of ours”.
“So I’ve been making the case that now’s the time for further investment into our country”, he stated, including that latest offers with Saudi Arabia have “yielded” 4,000 jobs to the UK.
Politics newest: PM invitations controversial Saudi crown prince to UK
Additionally, the widow of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged Sir Keir to query the crown prince concerning the case.
Mr Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Submit, was killed and dismembered by Saudi brokers within the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in an operation which US intelligence believed was ordered by Prince Mohammed.
The crown prince has denied the accusation.
Hanan Elatr Khashoggi stated Sir Keir ought to demand solutions about what occurred to her husband, telling The Guardian she hoped his case “has not been forgotten”.
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Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi pictured in 2014. Pic: AP
Dan Dolan, the group deputy govt director of marketing campaign group Reprieve, referred to as on Sir Keir to boost the problem of Abdullah al Howaiti and Abdullah al Derazi, kids going through the dying penalty in Saudi Arabia, saying “he could save their lives”.
A Downing Avenue spokesperson stated the 2 males mentioned Saudi Arabia’s makes an attempt to enhance human rights within the nation, regardless of it being a decrease precedence than the financial system, in addition to the state of affairs in Israel and Gaza.
The prime minister invited the crown prince to the UK, and stated he hoped they’d have the ability to go to a soccer match in between conferences “if he took up the offer”.
A brand new defence partnership between the 2 international locations was introduced, together with on fight air capabilities, which is about to final for generations.
The Royal Saudi Air Drive has operated UK-manufactured Hurricane fight plane since 2008.
Mr Starmer’s long-planned journey to the Center East got here amid regional uncertainty following the collapse of President Bashar al Assad’s regime in Syria.
The UK introduced an extra £11m of humanitarian support for probably the most weak folks in Syria.
