Liam Fox pulls out of Saudi conference over missing journalist

Dr Liam Fox has pulled out of a conference in Saudi Arabia, following pressure for the government to take a firmer stance over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The senior cabinet minister was due to attend a major investment summit in Riyadh next week.

A government spokesperson said Dr Fox had "decided the time is not right" for him to travel to the conference, and that the UK remains "very concerned" about Mr Khashoggi.

They added: "We encourage Turkish-Saudi collaboration and look forward to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducting a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation, as announced.

"Those bearing responsibility for his disappearance must be held to account."

:: Khashoggi Apple Watch recordings 'a cover story'

The announcement follows other business leaders and European leaders, including the French and Dutch finance ministers, pulling out.

Saudi Arabia has faced intense pressure to explain what happened to Mr Khashogg, who was last seen entering the country's embassy in Istanbul, Turkey.

An official, speaking to the Reuters news agency, said he was killed in a premeditated murder and his body removed from the consulate.

Dr Fox had faced mounting calls to pull out of the summit, amid denials of wrongdoing from the Saudis.

Andrew Mitchell, a Conservative MP and former international development secretary, told Sky News it was "inconceivable" a UK minister would attend.

Mr Mitchell added Britain would be "charged with hypocrisy" if it did not pull representation and "take a very strong line on this" because of its reaction to the Salisbury poisonings.

"It's not conceivable that a British minister should go to Saudi Arabia as if it's business as usual," he said.

More follows...