Britain will resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite fears weaponry could be used against civilians in Yemen

Britain will resume its arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite fears that UK-made weapons could be used by Riyadh against civilians in Yemen and 20 of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aides being added to a

Britain will resume its arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite fears that UK-made weapons could be used by Riyadh against civilians in Yemen and 20 of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aides being added to a UK sanction’s list for human rights abuses.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said a fresh analysis of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) involving Saudi air strikes in Yemen had concluded any breaches were ‘isolated incidents’.

In a Commons written statement, she said the Saudis had a ‘genuine intent’ to comply with IHL and that military exports could resume.

Hours earlier the UK imposed sanctions on 20 Saudi nationals linked to the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi – has been condemned as ‘morally bankrupt’ by campaigners whose legal action forced the Government to halt arms sales to the Saudis in June 2019.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of ordering the murder of Mr Khashoggi, is not be on the list because he has diplomatic immunity but the fact that many of his closest aides are included raises more uncomfortable questions for the Saudi royal family.