Britain, France and Germany unite to condemn Saudi Arabia’s claim that journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in fight
Saudi leaders have finally admitted the dissident journalist died in the country's Istanbul consulate
BRITAIN, France and Germany tonight branded Saudi Arabia’s claim that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during a fight as “not credible”.
Saudi officials had tried to insist the 60-year-old dissident left their consulate in Istanbul freely ever since his disappearance two weeks ago.
But under massive international pressure, Riyadh finally admitted Mr Khashoggi died inside it following a punch up.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt issued a joint call today with his French and German counterparts for more answers over the mystery death.
In a further embarrassment for Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who is suspected to be behind the assassination order, it has also emerged that his suspected execution team took a bone saw to the meeting.
And one member of the 15 man team who flew in specially for the rendezvous that morning was a post-mortem specialist, Dr Salah al-Tubaigy.
Mr Hunt and the other ministers said: “There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible.
“We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner.”
They added: “The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations.
“Our thoughts are today with Mr Khashoggi’s family, his fiancée, and his friends - who have worried about him for weeks, and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences."
Saudi officials also yesterday tried to claim that the Washington Post columnist’s body was rolled up in a carpet and disposed of “by a local cooperator”.
But that was also refuted, after Saudi death squad members were seen driving a blacked out van into a Turkish forest later on the day of his disappearance.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab insisted that Riyadh must be “held to account” over the bloody death.
He added: “We support the Turkish investigation into it and the British government will want to see people held to account for that death”.
Pressure growing is growing on the government from Labour to punish Saudi Arabia by expelling diplomats or halting arms sales to the kingdom.
But Mr Raab stalled for time, saying: “The number one thing at the moment is to support the investigation to make sure we know the full facts”.
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