The Dilemma of Cutting Ties With Saudi Arabia

Britain has levers of influence in the Kingdom, and we should be intent on pulling them to influence where we can. The picture inside Arabia is as complex as the personality of its young crown prince. Cutting all ties would amount to both self-harm and harm to the cause of reform in Saudi Arabia. But defence, our principle relationship illustrates the dilemma. I've historically defended British arm sales to the Kingdom. We need to drag Mohammed bin Salman along these lines with pressure. Otherwise we have the prospect of an absolute monarchy, rule by terror,. And there will be a totally closed space for civil society inSaudi Arabia.