Government express ‘shock’ over mass Saudi execution

A minister has said the government is “shocked” by the execution of 81 people in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The minister for Asia and Europe Amanda Milling told the Commons this afternoon that: “We are shocked by the execution of 81 individuals on March 13. The United Kingdom strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and in all circumstances as a matter of principle.

“The UK Ambassador has already raised the UK’s strong concerns with the Saudi security adviser and their vice foreign minister. We will continue to raise UK concerns with Saudi counterparts through our ministerial and diplomatic channels and seek further clarification on the details of these cases.

“No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office priority country including because of the use of the death penalty and restrictions on women’s rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. We regularly raise concerns with the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels, including ministers, our Ambassador and our British Embassy.”

At a lobby briefing earlier today a No 10 spokesperson claimed that the: “The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty in every country as a matter of principle,” he told reporters at today’s Lobby briefing. “We continue to raise human rights issues with other countries including Saudi Arabia.”

Labour MP Bambos Charalambous argued that the mass execution was not a coincidence, explaining: “We’ve seen what happens when human rights abuses go unchecked, so I ask the minister what steps the Government are taking to make sure that human rights are at the forefront of future trade deals with the Prime Minister. What assurances will the Government be seeking to ensure that such mass executions carried out by a friendly country never happen again?”

Milling reiterated the government’s disappointment at the incident, claiming that “No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights.”

Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, who demanded the urgent statement, said the killings were a “new low” for Saudi Arabia, and has demanded that foreign secretary Liz Truss still give a statement on the matter on Tuesday morning.