One of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest princes has called for Saudi women to be allowed to drive, saying the kingdom’s ban on female drivers was an “unjust act by a traditional society”.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has no official position in the Saudi government but with a net worth estimated at $18.4 billion (£14.8 billion) he is one of the world’s richest men and an influential figure in Saudi Arabia.

The prince tweeted “Stop the debate: time for women to drive” and released a long statement arguing that moral and pragmatic case for allowing women to drive.