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Two city chiefs become latest to pull out of Saudi conference over death of journalist

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Two City bosses have become the latest high-profile names to withdraw from an investor conference in Saudi Arabia following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

London Stock Exchange chief executive David Schwimmer and Catherine McGuinness, Canada Corporation's policy chair, join the likes of HSBC, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered in pulling out of the three-day event.

Read more: HSBC, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered join boycott of Saudi conference

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has faced pressure after prominent journalist and regime critic Khashoggi went missing earlier this month. 

He has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. 

Earlier today Turkish officials told AP they had found evidence Kashoggi was killed in the building. 

A spokesperson for Canada Corporation said: “The UK Government asked Canada Corporation to be part of efforts to develop a long-term partnership with Saudi Arabia.

“As part of this work policy and resources chairman Catherine McGuinness was invited to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference to discuss asset management and financial services.

“However ahead of this conference we want to make clear our deep concern at the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.

Read more: Google joins the list of firms deserting next week's Saudi business summit

“We support the UK Government’s call for the Saudi authorities to cooperate fully with investigators to deliver a clear and credible answer to the question of what happened. We will be raising these concerns with our Saudi counterparts.

“In the light of these developments the policy chairman will now not be attending the FII conference.”

International trade secretary Liam Fox has not yet confirmed whether he will be attending the event.

A trade department spokesperson said: "The secretary of state’s diary is yet to be finalised for the week of the 22nd October, we will update on his activity in due course."