International trade secretary Liam Fox withdraws from Saudi investor conference over missing journalist
International trade secretary Liam Fox has withdrawn from next week's high profile Saudi investor conference over the disappearance and alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Fox, who was due to the speak at the Future Investment Initiative, will no longer be travelling to Riyadh – a government spokesperson said the "timing was not right" and the UK remained "very concerned" about Khashoggi's disappearance.
Earlier today the French and Dutch finance ministers pulled out of the conference, to be hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
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Bruno Le Maire said his absence would not jeopardise relations between France and Saudi Arabia.
His withdrawal was swiftly followed by that of Dutch finance minister Wopka Hoekstra.
Fox had come under increased pressure to cancel his scheduled visit to Riyadh as business leaders and diplomats withdrew.
A government spokesperson said on Thursday: “The Secretary of State for International Trade has decided the time is not right for him to attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on 23 October.
Read more: French and Dutch finance ministers snub Saudi investor conference
“The UK remains very concerned about Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance.
“We encourage Turkish-Saudi collaboration and look forward to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducting a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation, as announced. Those bearing responsibility for his disappearance must be held to account."