Truss refuses to label Saudi Arabia ‘authoritarianism’

Liz Truss has appeared before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee today.

She refused to state that Saudi Arabia is an authoritarian, saying that “difficult decisions” needed to be made but that the UK’s trading relationship with the oil-rich Gulf states needed to improve.

She also said she was unaware of claims that the FCDO’s China strategy was due to be published in June but has since been delayed.

She said the government’s approach to China would be based on the 2021 Integrated Review.