Jeremy Hunt to challenge Saudi authorities over Khashoggi murder

The foreign minister Jeremy Hunt will challenge the Saudi authorities over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi when he visits the kingdom today.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of the Saudi Government, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month.

The kingdom has since arrested 18 Saudi men and promised to prosecute those found to be involved.

International trade secretary Liam Fox was due to visit the kingdom for an investment conference in the aftermath of the killing but withdrew along with several other minister of western countries.

Hunt's visit will be the first by a UK minister since Khashoggi's death and he is expected to use meeting with Saudi officials to urge them to co-operate fully with the Turkish investigation.

In a statement ahead of his visit today he 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.

“We encourage the Saudi authorities to cooperate fully with the Turkish investigation into his death, so that we deliver justice for his family and the watching world."

Hunt will also pressure Saudi leaders, and officials when he visits the United Arab Emirates later in the week, to end the war in Yemen.

He 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.”

“So today I am travelling to the Gulf to demand that all sides commit to this process.”