6 Oct 2015

David Cameron challenged over Saudi Arabian teenager

The Prime Minister indicated that he would try and personally intervene with Saudi Arabian authorities in the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr who has been sentenced to death.

David Cameron has indicated that he will attempt to personally raise the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, the teenager sentenced to execution and crucifixion if there is an “opportunity” with Saudi Arabian authorities.

Challenged on allegations that the UK and Saudi Arabia struck a deal to ensure both countries were elected to the UN human rights council the Prime Minister said Britain “disagree with them about punishment routines” and the death penalty.

He said his party “oppose the death penalty anywhere and everywhere”

The Prime Minster added that Saudi Arabian intelligence has thwarted a terror attack on British streets potentially saving lives.

Speaking to Jon Snow at the Conservative party conference in Manchester Mr Cameron said: “The Foreign Secretary has raised this, our embassy has raised this, we have raised this in the proper way. I look to see if there is an opportunity to raise it as well.

“We oppose the death penalty anywhere and everywhere in all our international contacts.”

This week classified Saudi memoranda released by Wikileaks, and published in the Australian newspaper, suggest that in November 2013 British and Saudi diplomats agreed to support each other’s election to the UN Human Rights Council.

Both countries were later elected to the 47-member council for three-year terms running to the end of 2016.

Challenged on the alleged deal Mr Cameron said: “Saudi Arabia is a member of the United Nations but we completely disagree with them about the punishment routines, about the death penalty.

He added: “We totally oppose their record in that area.”