Telegraph:

All evidence in the case of missing Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi points to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a former MI6 chief has said, warning he could soon face a reckoning at home.

Sir John Sawers, who headed the overseas intelligence service until 2014, claimed the theory of “rogue elements” floated by US President Donald Trump was “blatant fiction”.

Turkish government sources have alleged the Washington Post columnist was tortured, murdered and his body dismembered by a Saudi hit squad flown in from Riyadh.

On Friday night, Saudi state media confirmed the journalist's death, saying investigations suggested Khashoggi died after getting into a fight with people inside the consulate. 

Ealier, Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, told the BBC that such actions would be "totally inconsistent" with British values, but said the UK had a strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia, and seemed to back away from the idea of ending arms sales.

Sir John added that the UK must distinguish between its relationship with Saudi Arabia, “which is an important regional ally”, and the personality of the crown prince “who has brought some very promising changes to the country but has to be forced to act in a way which is in accordance with international acceptable standards."

 

He said there would likely be a reaction from members of the royal family, the Saudi business community and conservative clerics who did not like the direction the country was taking.

"I think all of them will take advantage of the damage that this murder in Istanbul will do to Mohammed bin Salman's reputation," he said.  “There will be some correction.”

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