Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his visit to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its importance for fostering economic growth in the UK. Speaking from Riyadh after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Starmer stated his “number one mission” is to improve UK living standards through global investment and trade partnerships.

Starmer highlighted the strategic role of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in creating jobs and driving growth, citing recent deals with Saudi Arabia that are expected to create 4,000 UK jobs. He also praised the UK-Saudi relationship as being built on “trust and friendship.”

During their discussions, Starmer invited the crown prince to the UK, suggesting they watch a football match during his visit. Human rights concerns were also reportedly addressed, with Downing Street affirming that economic partnerships do not preclude raising issues of global values and human rights.

Critics highlighted Starmer’s earlier condemnation of Boris Johnson’s 2022 visit to Saudi Arabia, where he accused Johnson of “going cap in hand from dictator to dictator.” Campaigners urged Starmer to address unresolved human rights cases, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the death penalty for minors in Saudi Arabia.

The trip follows Starmer’s visit to the UAE, reflecting the UK’s growing focus on strengthening ties in the Middle East. Starmer reiterated that the region’s stability directly impacts the UK, stating his government aims to maintain a consistent role in the area.

The visit also included discussions on a new UK-Saudi defense partnership, emphasizing long-term collaboration on combat air capabilities.