New Foreign Secretary slaps down Saudi explanation for journalist killing

TheFallenHero has rejected the government of Saudi Arabia’s story that Jamal Khashoggi died during a fight in the Kingdom’s embassy in Istanbul.

TheFallenHero was appointed as Foreign Secretary earlier this week among the ongoing diplomatic crisis over the killing of a Saudi journalist.

The acting Leader of the Classical Liberals, TheFallenHero, has used his first statement as Foreign Secretary to demand “further inquiry into the causes” of the death of US based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 2nd of October. The editor of the Al Watan newspaper, which supports progressive reforms in the country, had been in self imposed exile after fleeing in 2017 due to his virulent criticisms of the Kingdom’s regime.

The Saudi Government claimed late last night that Mr Khashoggi died as a result of the fight in the embassy, and that 18 people had been arrested in connection with his death, whilst the Turkish government disputed this, saying he had been murdered and dismembered in the embassy. In a statement released by Downing Street earlier this afternoon, Mr Hero, appointed Foreign Secretary earlier this week after the resignation of CDocwra over the government’s handling of the Gibraltar crisis, argued that further, impartial investigation was needed, but was sceptical of the Saudi explanation.

“The UK Government will not accept the recent report put forward by Saudi Arabia claiming that the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a “fight,”” his statement began. “While we appreciate the arrest of 18 believed to be in connection with his death, the UK demands further inquiry into the causes of his death as well as for the Saudi Government to address recent concerning and disturbing reports about the traumatic events occurring in the embassy.”

Couching this in measured diplomacy, Mr Hero carried on, stating “The UK maintains that the death of Jamal Khashoggi must be investigated fairly and realistically before any action can be taken. The Foreign Secretary makes no comments on who he believes is responsible for the events surrounding the journalist’s death. However, there will be consequences for the Saudi-British relationship if his murder was caused by the Saud government.”

The Guardian asked the Secretary of State about the extent to which UK relations with Saudi Arabia had dictated or changed the potential response, and the role of Saudi oil. He told our reporter that “Saudi Arabia makes a minimal part of UK oil imports compared to multiple other countries. Whereas it might have been part of the strategic thinking for prior governments, its a lesser issue in 2018 [Arms exports to Saudi Arabia were banned a few years back]. The responses would be different, we must take precautions for our allies, we cannot alienate them over a genuine mistake.”

Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson ARichTeaBiscuit told the Guardian “the Foreign Secretary wasn’t really resolute enough in his statement on linking this heinous murder to the Saudi regime. I would’ve preferred a far tougher line of criticism. We should be exploring the necessity of sanctions at this point in time.”

Saudi Arabia is a key British ally in the Gulf of Arabia, forming a critical part of Western alliances against various terrorist organisations and other regimes. Likewise, Saudi is a vital US ally, and has received very friendly treatment from President Donald Trump since he took office. He has been far less sceptical about the Saudi regime’s explanation.

When asked if he believed their version of events, President Trump responded “I do. I do.” He went on to say, “”Again, it’s early. We haven’t finished our review, our investigation. But I think it’s [the arrest of 18 Saudis] a very important first step.” When asked his view on the President’s response, Mr Hero told the Guardian “I am unimpressed by the Trump Administration’s stance on the matter, and if forced to choose between standing with European states or the USA, I would stand with the European states, under the implication that they were taking a more inquisitive and investigative line, than the Trump admin has taken.”

Analysis: Three key tasks

It would be fair to say that this week has been a bit of a baptism of fire for the new Foreign Secretary, with the on-going fall out over the proposed deal with Spain about the future of Gibraltar, and in the midst of international outrage at the accusations against Saudi Arabia. His sudden arrival in the job at a critical moment during this crisis could not have been ideal for him, particularly with a US administration looking keen to side with Saudi Arabia.

He had a few key things he had to do with this statement. First he had to prove that his sudden catapulting into this job by internal division would not hinder his ability to get a quick grip on this crisis, and to show he was ready to take on one of government’s most critical, high-octane jobs. Secondly, he had to show that the government was willing to be tough on Saudi Arabia if the evidence should stack up against them, whilst keeping an open mind so as not to alienate the US, and while avoiding accusations of weakness. Thirdly, he had to reassert the role of the Foreign Office after a week in which its importance has been in the spotlight.

On all three tasks, the Foreign Secretary’s success can be judged as varied at best. His statement was clearly on top of the details, and in our brief questioning of him he demonstrated good knowledge of UK-Saudi relations. On the second task, the statement was firmly grounded in diplomatic language, whilst dismissing a patently nonsensical story. But it has been judged by some as not going nearly far enough in condemnation, stopping far short of echoing accusations against the Saudi government at this stage, placing heavy caveats on any future actions. This could prove damaging later. Thirdly, the speed with which the statement was released after his appointment is very tone-setting by Mr Hero. The jury is still out on how quickly the FCO will pick itself up after a bruising period, but it’s being led with clear intent.

Of course, there will still be critics and sceptics, particularly on the left, as enunciated by Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, who will seek more urgent, immediate action, and who may be troubled by the Foreign Secretary’s reluctance to confirm who he blames. There are those who will be completely sold on the idea that Saudi Arabia’s government was responsible, and will see this as a failure to properly condemn them. Though, certainly the clear distancing by Mr Hero from the views of the US President will be reassuring. For them, for now, the dismissal of the Saudi story, and a clear signalling of potential consequences, may reassure them that, whilst being cautious, and biding his time, Mr Hero will also be decisive when the right moment comes.