Liam Fox pulls out of Saudi investment conference

International Development Secretary Liam Fox is pulling out of an international investment conference in Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A Government spokesman said Dr Fox had decided the "time is not right" for him to attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh later this month.

"The UK remains very concerned about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance," the spokesman said.

Turkish government sources have claimed that Mr Khashoggi – a critic of the government in Riyadh – was murdered during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

The UK Government spokesman said: "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."