Cameron hosts Bahrain

Friday, 20 May 2011 00:00

David Cameron has been criticised for hosting Bahrain's crown prince, as human rights activists criticise him for a violent crackdown at home.

Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa visited Downing Street yesterday, weeks after overseeing a violent response to pro-democracy protests which left 29 dead.

He was urged by Mr Cameron to seek reform rather than repression, but former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the visit served to legitimise him.

The decision to host the crown prince was particularly embarrassing given the tough stance Barack Obama adopted towards the kingdom in his speech on the Arab Spring yesterday.

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