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UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia face inquiry UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia face inquiry
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A full-scale inquiry into the UK’s sales of arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen is to be mounted by the powerful cross-party committee on arms exports controls.A full-scale inquiry into the UK’s sales of arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen is to be mounted by the powerful cross-party committee on arms exports controls.
The inquiry is going to look not just at arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their use by the Saudi air force in Yemen, but also UK arms sales to other Gulf countries.The inquiry is going to look not just at arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their use by the Saudi air force in Yemen, but also UK arms sales to other Gulf countries.
The committee, which has taken months to be established since the general election, has a specific remit: to examine the government’s expenditure, administration and policy on strategic exports, specifically the licensing of arms exports and other controlled goods.The committee, which has taken months to be established since the general election, has a specific remit: to examine the government’s expenditure, administration and policy on strategic exports, specifically the licensing of arms exports and other controlled goods.
The UK government has licensed £6.7bn of arms to Saudi Arabia since David Cameron took office in 2010, including £2.8bn since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015. There have been strong claims, including by a United Nations panel, that the Saudi bombing campaign led to repeated breaches of human rights laws. Related: EU criticises British arms sales to Saudi Arabia
The UK government has licensed £6.7bn of arms to Saudi Arabia since David Cameron took office in 2010, including £2.8bn since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015. There have been strong claims, including by a UN panel, that the Saudi bombing campaign led to repeated breaches of human rights laws.
The Saudis have conducted their own internal inquiry into the conduct of their campaign.The Saudis have conducted their own internal inquiry into the conduct of their campaign.
The arms control committee’s chairman, Chris White, the Conservative MP for Warwick, said: “The defence and security industry is one of the UK’s most important exporters. However, it is vital that its financial success does not come at a cost to the nation’s strategic interests. We have launched this inquiry to understand what role UK-made arms are playing in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Have the criteria set by the government for granting arms export licences in the region been respected, and what should be the consequences if they have not?” The arms control committee’s chairman, Chris White, the Conservative MP for Warwick, said: “The defence and security industry is one of the UK’s most important exporters. However, it is vital that its financial success does not come at a cost to the nation’s strategic interests.
“We have launched this inquiry to understand what role UK-made arms are playing in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Have the criteria set by the government for granting arms export licences in the region been respected, and what should be the consequences if they have not?”
Related: David Cameron boasts of 'brilliant' UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia
He said the committee was also likely to look at the role of the Department for International Development in sanctioning arms sales. It has emerged that DfID was not consulted on the arms sales to Saudi Arabia, even though it has a major aid programme in Yemen.He said the committee was also likely to look at the role of the Department for International Development in sanctioning arms sales. It has emerged that DfID was not consulted on the arms sales to Saudi Arabia, even though it has a major aid programme in Yemen.
The inquiry is one of three that is likely to place a spotlight on UK-Saudi relations. DfID is due to report before Easter on the broader aid implications of the UK government running an aid programme in Yemen while its arms sales help fuel a destructive civil war in the country.The inquiry is one of three that is likely to place a spotlight on UK-Saudi relations. DfID is due to report before Easter on the broader aid implications of the UK government running an aid programme in Yemen while its arms sales help fuel a destructive civil war in the country.
Separately, the foreign affairs select committee is to undertake a long-term inquiry into the Foreign Office’s approach to political Islam over the past decade, including the UK’s approach to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.Separately, the foreign affairs select committee is to undertake a long-term inquiry into the Foreign Office’s approach to political Islam over the past decade, including the UK’s approach to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Welcoming the arms control inquiry, Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said: “We welcome the announcement of an investigation, but these arms sales should never have been allowed in the first place. It is one of the most repressive regimes in the world and has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe on Yemen, yet it has enjoyed uncritical political and military support from the UK. If UK arms exports controls mean anything then the government needs to revoke all extant licences and stop all arms exports.” Related: EU criticises British arms sales to Saudi Arabia
The CAAT has been considering a legal action against the UK government. Welcoming the arms control inquiry, Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said: “We welcome the announcement of an investigation, but these arms sales should never have been allowed in the first place. It is one of the most repressive regimes in the world and has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe on Yemen, yet it has enjoyed uncritical political and military support from the UK.
“If UK arms exports controls mean anything then the government needs to revoke all extant licences and stop all arms exports.”
The CAAT has been considering taking legal action against the UK government.