‘Toxic, Damaging and Shameful’: Fury as UK and Saudi Arabia Sign Huge Arms Deal

However, civil and human rights campaigners are furious. The UK has already licensed £4.6 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia since the bombardment of neighboring Yemen began three years ago.

Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade said: “This shameful deal will be celebrated in the palaces of Riyadh and by the arms companies who will profit from it, but it will mean even greater destruction for the people of Yemen.

“For decades now, successive UK governments have enjoyed a toxic and damaging relationship with the Saudi regime. By rolling out the red carpet for the Crown Prince, Theresa May has shown how low she will sink to maintain it.

“Yemen has endured three years of bombardment and one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. UK arms companies have profited every step of the way. If May really cares for the rights of people being repressed in Saudi Arabia, or bombed in Yemen, then she must stop arming and supporting the brutal Saudi dictatorship.”

Both Theresa May and Mohammed bin Salman have said the relationship between the allies is vital. May said in the Commons on Wednesday intelligence sharing between the two has “saved hundreds of lives.”

The deal is expected to be announced by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and the Crown Prince later on Friday.

SOURCE: RT. Go to ORIGINAL. 2018 Human Wrongs Watch