Saudi Arabia

Lord Pickles Excerpts

Wednesday 24th April 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goldie]

I have no specific information on that point, but I shall investigate and report back to my noble friend.

[Lord Pickles (Con)]

My Lords, it does not seem so long ago that we were discussing the sad fate of Mr Khashoggi, who was murdered in Turkey by the Saudi Arabian authorities. In making private representations, what difference has there been in Saudi Arabia’s attitude when we see evidence of these executions?

[Baroness Goldie]

Given the recency of the executions, and given that the Foreign Secretary expects to be in engagement with Saudi Arabia in very early course, I cannot comment specifically on my noble friend’s question. On the broader issue of Mr Khashoggi’s murder, both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary made it clear that action is needed to ensure accountability. However, my noble friend raises a very important point, which I shall look into.