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Good for British industry? Home Secretary makes ‘no apology’ for UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Amber Rudd, the British Home Secretary, has suggested that arms sales to Saudi Arabia are strengthening the British defense industry while refusing to consider the multibillion deals as controversial. | Amber Rudd, the British Home Secretary, has suggested that arms sales to Saudi Arabia are strengthening the British defense industry while refusing to consider the multibillion deals as controversial. |
Rudd made the comments while standing in for Prime Minister Theresa May at a live BBC debate for the leaders of seven British political parties. | Rudd made the comments while standing in for Prime Minister Theresa May at a live BBC debate for the leaders of seven British political parties. |
May had faced criticism for her decision to not take part in the event. | May had faced criticism for her decision to not take part in the event. |
During an often-fractious debate, Rudd was asked about Britain’s arms deal with the Middle Eastern state by Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas. | During an often-fractious debate, Rudd was asked about Britain’s arms deal with the Middle Eastern state by Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas. |
“I will make no apology for being a government that wants to defend this country,” said Rudd. “We will make sure that our defence budget is well-funded and we will do that by having a strong economy and make sure we can do that by having a strong industry.” | “I will make no apology for being a government that wants to defend this country,” said Rudd. “We will make sure that our defence budget is well-funded and we will do that by having a strong economy and make sure we can do that by having a strong industry.” |
“Saudi has the right,” she added, as others began to interject. | “Saudi has the right,” she added, as others began to interject. |
In the Yemen, 10,000 have died and millions more displaced following attacks by Saudi-led forces against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, with the Saudis accused of targeting civilians. | In the Yemen, 10,000 have died and millions more displaced following attacks by Saudi-led forces against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, with the Saudis accused of targeting civilians. |
Meanwhile, the UK has continued to sell arms to the Saudi regime, sending more than £3 billion of weapons to the kingdom since the conflict in Yemen began in March 2015. | Meanwhile, the UK has continued to sell arms to the Saudi regime, sending more than £3 billion of weapons to the kingdom since the conflict in Yemen began in March 2015. |
A UK parliamentary committee said it was likely British weapons had been used in Yemen. | A UK parliamentary committee said it was likely British weapons had been used in Yemen. |
Some viewers were outraged at Rudd’s stance on the issue. | Some viewers were outraged at Rudd’s stance on the issue. |
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