British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt | Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Jeremy Hunt: Saudi explanation of Khashoggi death not ‘credible’ ‘If the appalling stories we are reading turn out to be true, they are fundamentally incompatible with our values,’ says UK foreign secretary.

U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Monday that the Saudi government's explanation for the death of Jamal Khashoggi is not "credible."

Speaking in the House of Commons, Hunt said the British government condemns the murder of the journalist "in the strongest possible terms" and expressed concerns that his "horrific treatment was inflicted by people who work for a government with whom we have close relations."

He said: "On Friday, the Saudi government released the preliminary findings of their investigation ... but the claim that Mr. Khashoggi died in a fight does not amount to a credible explanation," adding that "anyone found responsible for any offence must be held accountable."

Hunt told MPs: "We have an important strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia involving defense and security cooperation, which has saved lives on the streets of Britain.

"We also have a trading partnership that supports thousands of jobs.

"So whilst we will be thoughtful and considered in our response, I have also been clear that if the appalling stories we are reading turn out to be true, they are fundamentally incompatible with our values and we will act accordingly."

Having previously insisted Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul alive, Saudi Arabia said on Saturday his death came after an argument and fight with other men at the diplomatic mission.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called that explanation “not sufficient.”